Skull Sex Estimation Based on Wavelet Transform and Fourier Transform

Biomed Res Int. 2020 Jan 11:2020:8608209. doi: 10.1155/2020/8608209. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Skull sex estimation is one of the hot research topics in forensic anthropology, and has important research value in the fields of criminal investigation, archeology, anthropology, and so on. Sex estimation of skull is crucial in forensic investigations, whether in legal situations that involve living people or to identify mortal remains. The aim of this study is to establish a skull-based sex estimation model in Chinese population, providing a scientific reference for the practical application of forensic medicine and anthropology. We take the superior orbital margin and frontal bone of the skull as the research object and proposed a technology of objective sex estimation of the skull using wavelet transform and Fourier transform. Firstly, the supraorbital margin and frontal bone were quantified by wavelet transform and Fourier transform, and then the extracted features were classified by SVM, and the model was tested. The experimental results show that the accuracy rate of male and female sex discrimination is 90.9% and 94.4%, respectively, which is higher than that of morphological and measurement methods. Compared with the traditional methods, the method has more theoretical basis and objectivity, and the correct rate is higher.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Forensic Anthropology*
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sex Determination by Skeleton*
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging*