Sexual dimorphism of the human sternum in a Maharashtrian population of India: a morphometric analysis.

Determination of sex from human skeletal remains is an imperative element of any medicolegal investigation. Length of manubrium, length of mesosternum, and combined length of manubrium and mesosternum were measured in 115 sternums of confirmed sex (75 male and 40 female) for sexual dimorphism. Application of "the 50 rule" for the manubrium confirmed sex in 77.3% male and 77.5% female bones, while application of "the 81 rule" for the mesosternum confirmed sex in 73.3% male and 75% female bones accurately. Application of "the 131 rule" derived from the study for combined length of manubrium and mesosternum confirmed sex in 85.3% male and 77.5% female sternums correctly. This study confined to the Maharashtra region of western India is useful to determine the sex of the sternum when it is subjected for medicolegal skeletal examination.