Racial Determination using Skull Notes on Page 101

Racial Determination using Skull Notes on Page 101

Definitions Nasal index – the ratio of the nasal cavity; measure the widest part of the nasal cavity and divide by the length from the top of the nasal bone to bottom of nasal spine l Nasal spine – located at the base of the nasal cavity on the top part of the maxilla l Nasal silling or guttering – on the base of the nasal cavity (on either side of the nasal spine); there will be sharp ridges (nasal silling), rounded ridges or no ridges (nasal guttering) l Prognathism – extended jaw; make a line from the bottom of the nose down to the chin; if line touches, the skull is not prognathic; if line does not touch chin, the skull is prognathic l

Caucasian Nasal Index l Nasal Width = ¡ 21. 8 mm l Nasal Length = ¡ 48. 1 l Nasal mm Index = 21. 8/48. 1 = 0. 453

African Nasal Index l Nasal Width = ¡ 26. 4 mm l Nasal Length = ¡ 47. 6 l Nasal mm Index = 26. 4/47. 6 = 0. 554

Asian Nasal Index l Nasal Width = ¡ 25. 8 mm l Nasal Length = ¡ 46. 1 l Nasal mm Index = 25. 8/46. 1 = 0. 560

Comparison of Nasal Indexes l Generally, here is the range of nasal indexes for the different races ¡ Caucasian < 0. 48 ¡ African > 0. 53 ¡ Asian 0. 48 -0. 53

Nasal Spines Caucasian African Caucasian – usually prominent spine African – usually small spine Asian – usually somewhat prominent spine Asian

Nasal Silling and Guttering Caucasian – silling (sharp ridges) African – guttering (smooth at base) Asian – rounded edges African Asian

Prognathism Caucasian – straight African – prognathic Asian – varies African Asian

Eye Orbital Shape Caucasian (top left) – round; somewhat square African (bottom left) – rectangular or square Asian (top right) – rounded; somewhat circular