Evaluation of Seven Methods of Estimating Age at Death from Mature Human Skeletal Remains

Different approaches to the estimation of age at death in mature human skeletal remains were evaluated utilizing samples from 19 recent French autopsy individuals of known age at death. Methods of estimating age at death from single-rooted teeth, the sternal ends of the fourth ribs, the symphyseal f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences 1999-09, Vol.44 (5), p.931-936
Main Authors: Baccino, E, Ubelaker, DH, Hayek, L-AC, Zerilli, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age
Age Determination by Skeleton - methods
Age Determination by Teeth - methods
Bone Remodeling - physiology
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Female
Femur - anatomy & histology
Femur - physiology
Forensic Anthropology - methods
Forensic sciences
Human remains
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Observer Variation
Pubic Bone - anatomy & histology
Pubic Bone - physiology
Reproducibility of Results
Ribs - anatomy & histology
Skeletal system
Space life sciences
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Summary:Different approaches to the estimation of age at death in mature human skeletal remains were evaluated utilizing samples from 19 recent French autopsy individuals of known age at death. Methods of estimating age at death from single-rooted teeth, the sternal ends of the fourth ribs, the symphyseal face of the pubis and femoral cortical remodeling were evaluated by two independent observers (three observers for the teeth). Comparison included ages estimated from three more comprehensive approaches utilizing data from the application of two or more of the individual methods. The results indicate that the comprehensive approaches are superior to the individual ones and the success of the latter reflects not only the morphological expression of the aging process, but also the technique complexity and the experience of the investigator. Of the individual techniques, the "Lamendin" dental technique was most effective for individuals of ages greater than 25 years.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1520/JFS12019J