NCJ Number
134452
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1992) Pages: 140-146
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the proposed association of bilateral asymmetry of the jugular foramen as an indicator of handedness observable from cranial morphology.
Abstract
Jugular foramen asymmetry was scored for 54 subjects during routine autopsies performed at the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office in San Antonio, Texas. The sample included 40 males and 14 females. Racially, 47 of the subjects were white and 7 were black, and they ranged in age from 15 to 86 years. Hand preference data were collected on each subject from family members. Of the 54 subjects, 47 47 were documented as being right-handed and 7 as being left-handed. These values approximated the average percentage of right-handed versus left-handed individuals from larger populations. Jugular foramen asymmetry was qualitatively identified for 36 subjects (66.7 percent) and was judged equivocal for the other 18 (33.3 percent). Of the 36 subjects exhibiting asymmetry, 28 (77.7 percent) showed positive correlation between the asymmetry direction and handedness. The moderate level of congruence, coupled with the result that four of the seven left-handers exhibited dominant right-side foramina, casts doubt on the reliable use of jugular foramen asymmetry for estimating handedness. Therefore, forensic anthropologists and others should refrain from using jugular foramen asymmetry as the sole determinant of handedness from the skeleton. 8 references, 2 tables, and 3 figures (Author abstract modified)