Variation of the human skull bone thickness with the age, gender, and body stature: an autopsy study of the Sri Lankan population

Introduction: Many characteristics of the skull bones used in identification are subjective. Since the human skull thickness (HST) can be used as a more objective criterion, it can be used in more accurate identification in forensic anthropology, and according to literature; no such studies were conducted in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study is to assess the thickness of individual skull bones and the association of the HST with age, gender, and body stature. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among 100 autopsies selected randomly at the National Hospital Kandy, and Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Socio-demographic profile was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire; bone thickness was measured using a calibrated vernier caliper and body height was measured using a measuring tape. The association between the bone thickness with age and body stature was assessed using the Pearson linear correlation. The association of bone thickness with gender was calculated with Chi-square. Results: The mean skull bone thicknesses obtained were temporal (4.7mm on both), parietal (6.1mm on right and 5.8mm on left), occipital (7.2mm on right and 6.4mm on left), and frontal (8.8mm), with the frontal bone being the thickest among both males and females. Skull bone thickness showed a significant difference with gender in occipital and frontal bones. Only the left temporal bone thickness showed a small positive correlation with age. HST showed no correlation with body stature. Conclusion: This study shows that there are variations in HST with gender and no correlation with body stature.