A Study of Ischiopubic Index Using X-Ray Films in Lagos State of Nigeria

Abstract

The ischiopubic index was studied in adult pelvic X-ray films of subjects aged eighteen to seventy years. A total of 120 X-ray films made of 60 males and 60 females were collected from LUTH, Lagos State. The ischiopubic index was calculated by dividing the pubic length by ischial length and by multiplying by 100. The mean ischiopubic index for males was 101.05 ± 16.65 and that of the females was 115.99 ± 18.5. Sex differences of these indices were statistically significant ( P < 0.001 ) for both sexes. The mean length of the females pubis was significantly longer than that for males ( P < 0.001 ), and similarly the mean length of ischium in males was significantly longer than that of the females ( P < 0.001 ). Using X-ray films, sex could be assigned using demarking points to 47% and 50% females in Lagos State. In conclusion, this research has provided evidence that the ischiopubic index and the demarking points are reliable in sexing the hip bones of Nigerians (using X-ray films). Thus the ischiopubic index may be of value in forensic and archaeological analyses and in solving medicolegal cases.