An intact femur recovered from skeletal remains has a maximum vertical diameter of the head measuring 48 mm. The correct interpretation is:

• A Female, since values above 44 mm occur only in females
• B Male, provided the condylar width exceeds 80 mm
• C Indeterminate, as the demarcating point is 50 mm
• D Male, since values above 46 mm are almost exclusively male ✓

Explanation

The vertical diameter of the femoral head is a classic metrical sex indicator. A value greater than 46 mm is virtually always male, a value less than 43 mm is virtually always female, and values between these limits fall into an indeterminate zone. At 48 mm the bone falls firmly in the male range. The commonly quoted demarcating point in Indian texts is around 45 to 46 mm depending on population data, not 50 mm, and condylar width is an independent measurement not needed once the head diameter is decisive.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.