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Sex Estimation Using Three-Dimensional Volumetric Analysis of the Korean Ulna

  • Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
  • Abbr : Anat Biol Anthropol
  • 2026, 39(2), pp.125~135
  • DOI : 10.11637/aba.2026.39.2.125
  • Publisher : 대한체질인류학회
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Anatomy
  • Received : May 13, 2026
  • Accepted : June 18, 2026
  • Published : June 30, 2026

Yun Taek Shim 1,  Lee Jin 2,  김혜정 1,  Byung-Yoon Roh 1,  In-Soo Seo 1,  Nak-won Lee 1,  Chang Un Choi 1,  김영우 1

1국립과학수사연구원 광주과학수사연구소 법의학과
2한양대학교 의과대학 해부세포생물학교실

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ABSTRACT

Sex estimation is an essential step in forensic identification, and various skeletal elements have been studied because human remains are often recovered in fragmented conditions. The ulna is frequently preserved and exhibits sexual dimorphism; however, most previous studies have relied on two-dimensional osteometric methods that may not sufficiently reflect the complex three-dimensional morphology of the bone. Therefore, this study aimed to establish and validate sex estimation equations using three-dimensional volumetric analysis of the Korean ulna based on computed tomography (CT) images. A total of 1,200 CT scans of Korean adult ulnae without pathological deformities or fractures were analyzed. The ulnae were reconstructed into three-dimensional models, and the maximum length and regional volumes of the olecranon, mid-shaft, and distal regions were measured. Logistic regression analysis was performed using 1,000 samples to derive sex estimation equations, and the remaining 200 samples were used for validation. Significant sex differences were observed in all measured regions (p<0.05), and high inter-observer reliability was confirmed with low %TEM values. In the validation dataset (n = 200), sex estimation based on maximum length correctly classified 82.0% of right ulnae and 84.0% of left ulnae. In comparison, sex estimation based on three-dimensional volumetric measurements of the olecranon, mid-shaft, and distal regions yielded higher classification accuracies of 90.5% and 90.0% for the right and left ulnae, respectively. In particular, volumetric analysis of the mid-shaft region demonstrated markedly improved sex estimation accuracy compared with conventional two-dimensional osteometric methods. These findings suggest that three-dimensional volumetric analysis more effectively reflects the morphological characteristics and sexual dimorphism of the ulna than traditional linear measurements. This study provides population-specific standards for sex estimation in Koreans and may contribute to forensic anthropology and personal identification in medico-legal contexts.

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