Abstract

The analysis of asymmetry of the arm long bones and of the cranial jugular foramen has been used to suggest handedness in humans. However, because of the unavailability of documented skeletal material, neither criterion has been systematically tested. If both criteria are associated with handedness, they should also be intercorrelated within individuals. Data were collected from skeletal material of 125 males and 57 females to test whether this intercorrelation exists. According to Chi-square analysis, no statistically significant association was identified. After examining several hypotheses, it was concluded that until further substantiation, neither criterion is related to handedness to a degree appropriate for forensic science identification from skeletal remains.

References

1.
Stewart
,
T. D.
,
Essentials of Forensic Anthropology, Especially as Developed in the United States
,
Charles C Thomas
,
Springfield, IL
,
1979
.
2.
Goss
,
C. M.
,
Gray's Anatomy
, 29th American ed.,
Lea and Febiger
,
Philadelphia
,
1973
.
3.
Bass
,
W. M.
,
Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual of the Human Skeleton
,
Missouri Archeological Society
,
Columbia
,
1971
.
4.
Plato
,
C. C.
,
Fox
,
K. M.
, and
Garruto
,
R. M.
, “
Measures of Lateral Functional Dominance: Hand Dominance
,”
Human Biology
 0018-7143, Vol.
56
,
05
1984
, pp.
259
-
275
.
5.
Garn
,
S. M.
,
Mayor
,
G. H.
, and
Shaw
,
H. A.
, “
Paradoxical Bilateral Asymmetry in Bone Size and Bone Mass in the Hand
,”
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
 0002-9483, Vol.
45
,
09
1976
, pp.
209
-
210
.
6.
Plato
,
C. C.
,
Wood
,
J. L.
, and
Norris
,
A. H.
, “
Bilateral Asymmetry in Bone Measurements of the Hand and Lateral Hand Dominance
,”
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
 0002-9483, Vol.
52
,
01
1980
, pp.
27
-
31
.
7.
Schultz
,
A. H.
, “
Fetal Growth of Man and Other Primates
,”
Quarterly Review of Biology
 0033-5770, Vol.
1
,
10
1926
, pp.
465
-
521
.
8.
Schultz
,
A. H.
, “
Proportions, Variability, and Asymmetries of the Long Bones of the Limbs and the Clavicles in Man and Apes
,”
Human Biology
 0018-7143, Vol.
9
,
09
1937
, pp.
281
-
328
.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.