Forensic Medicine · Identification & Forensic Anthropology

Cephalic Index & Skull Types

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Cephalic Index (CI)

Definition: the Cephalic Index is the ratio of the maximum breadth of the skull to its maximum length, multiplied by 100.

Formula:

$$\text{CI} = \frac{\text{Maximum Breadth of Skull}}{\text{Maximum Length of Skull}} \times 100$$

Where B = maximum breadth of skull and L = maximum length of skull.

Measurements

  • Maximum length of skull: distance from the glabella (most prominent point between the eyebrows) to the opisthocranion (most prominent point at the back of the skull).
  • Maximum breadth of skull: the maximum transverse diameter between the two parietal eminences.