Breaking the binary: The identification of trans-women in forensic anthropology

Abstract

In the cases of transgender and gender non-conforming people, a description of their physical remains, including biological sex, may have little correlation with their social identity, delaying and often confusing the issue of identification. Some transgender individuals have sought to alter their physical appearance in order to better reflect their gender. One group of surgical modifications for trans-women, or individuals transitioning from MTF (male-to female), is known as facial feminization surgery (FFS) which involves the reduction and contour of the forehead, chin and jaw contour, and rhinoplasty to give trans-women smoother, smaller facial features. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of FFS on measurement-based methods of cranial sex assessment, such as discriminant function analysis. The goal is to develop guidelines for correctly recognizing and supporting the identification of trans-women. The results of this study demonstrate that evidence of gender can be found in the facial skeletons of MTF transgender individuals who have undergone facial feminization surgery, and that forensic anthropologists should consider individuals who do not fit into the traditional sex binary when assessing the sex of unidentified skeletal remains.

Keywords: Cranial sex assessment; Facial feminization surgery; Forensic anthropology; Gender assessment; Male-to-female transgender; Transgender.