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ERROR IN SEX ESTIMATION METHODS FURTHER COMPOUNDS IDENTITY ISSUES IN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY **

Abstract

Forensic anthropologists are only able to estimate sex from skeletal remains. The limitations of the forensic anthropologist when estimating sex can negatively affect the probability of an identification, especially when the victim's gender identification in life did not align with their biological sex. Non-metric and metric sex estimations are used in this study to test for precision and inter and intraobserver error. Three data collection simulations were performed, one in isolation and two as a case. Additionally, sex was estimated as a case twice; the first consisting of estimating sex starting with the skull and concluding with the pelvis, followed by another simulation starting with the pelvis and concluding with the skull. The purpose of estimating sex in isolation and as a case is to identify any potential biases created when assessing skeletal remains. An improvement in non-metric and metric sex estimation methods is needed in order to increase precision.

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