SEX ESTIMATION USING AURICULAR DIMENSIONS AMONG THE KALABARI ETHNIC GROUP IN NIGERIA

The auricular position and orientation is highly complex and as such forensic scientists as well as reconstructive surgeons require detailed information about its typical dimensions. These information will aid in personal identification and design of auricular products. This study focused on establishing a quick but accurate sex differentiation tool in forensic science. A total of 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females) Kalabari indigens of Rivers State, Nigeria were used in this study. Four auricular dimensions; [Total Ear Height (TEH), Ear Width (EW), Lobular Height (LH) and lobular Width (LW)] were measured and the data analyzed using SPSS version 23.

The mean values for male subjects on the right were; 65.8360.55 mm, 31.383.36 mm, 14.392.92 mm, and 12.271.75 mm respectively, while on the left; 59.75 ± 4.80 mm, 31.14 ± 3.28 mm, 14.36 ± 2.73 mm and 12.10 ± 1.57 mm respectively. Those of the female subjects on the right were 59.386.95 mm, 30.313.57 mm, 12.682.06 mm and 51.245.76 mm respectively. While on the left side, we have 59.18 ± 6.23 mm, 29.60 ± 3.15 mm, 13.58 ± 9.63 mm and 50.39 ± 5.37 mm respectively. The findings made in this study, showed that mean values of auricular dimensions were higher in males as compared to the females (P < 0.05). These differences were significant for the left total ear width as well as the left ear index. Concerning the right and left auricular parameters, male subjects did not show any significant difference with respect to side (P < 0.05), while the females showed significance in the right and left total ear width (P = 0.02) as well as left ear index (P = 0.02). These sex related differences were said to be sexually dimorphic.