The Evolution of Gender Detection Protocols in Bioarchaeological Studies

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Summary
Accurate gender attribution has always been a priority in forensic casework and has always concerned the archeologists. Characteristics of forensic DNA samples analysis are similar to that of ancient DNA, small quantities of workable molecules being the main resemblance. The most frequently used markers for molecular sex attribution are the single copy gene for amelogenin located on X (AMELX) and Y (AMELY) chromosomes. Worldwide used sex determination kits were designed based on amelogenin genes amplification, especially useful in forensic casework. Sometimes these sex tests fail due to allelic dropout. New molecular markers for sex identification are constantly developed to overcome this problem. Another issue characteristic for ancient DNA studies is the contamination of samples with modern molecules of DNA. The accuracy of sex tests for ancient DNA studies depends on the possibility to discriminate between authentic ancient DNA and modern contaminant DNA.
Keywords: physical anthropology, sex attribution, molecular sex attribution, AMELX, AMELY, ancient DNA.
Introduction
Correct sex identification has always been preoccupying archeologists or anthropologists and has major importance in forensic casework for nowadays population. In past populations, the status of man and woman significantly varied and the dynamics of relations between sexes changed during time. Physical anthropology may work out identifying with a higher degree of certainty the gender of skeletal remains by analyzing a few markers that indicate the sex.
The most common physical markers are the skull and the pelvis. Skull features tend to be more robust in the man than the female and the sub pubic region presents important differences due to the ...

... middle of paper ...

...F., Frey U. H., Bajanowski, T. (2008) Amelogenin sex determination by pyrosequencing of short PCR products, International Journal of Legal Medicine, 122, 333-335.
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Willard, H. F. (1985) Chromosome specific organization of human alpha satellite DNA, Am J Hun Genet, 37, 524-532.
Wolfe, J., Darling, S. M., Erickson, R. P., Craig, I. W., Buckle, V. J., Rigby, P. W. J., Willard, H. F. K., Goodfellow, P. N. (1985) Isolation and characterization of an alphoid centromeric repeat family from the human Y chromosome, J Mol Biol, 182, 477-485.
Zech, L. (1969) Investigation of metaphase chromosomes with DNA-binding fluorochromes, Exp Cell Res, 58, 463.

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