1. Racial Determination using Skull
Notes on Page 101

2. 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
Nasal spine – located at the base of the nasal cavity on the top part of the maxilla
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)
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

3. Caucasian Nasal Index Nasal Width = Nasal Length =
21.8 mm
Nasal Length =
48.1 mm
Nasal Index = 21.8/48.1 = 0.453

4. African Nasal Index Nasal Width = Nasal Length =
26.4 mm
Nasal Length =
47.6 mm
Nasal Index = 26.4/47.6 = 0.554

5. Asian Nasal Index Nasal Width = Nasal Length =
25.8 mm
Nasal Length =
46.1 mm
Nasal Index = 25.8/46.1 = 0.560

6. Comparison of Nasal Indexes
Generally, here is the range of nasal indexes for the different races
Caucasian < 0.48
African > 0.53
Asian

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

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

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

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