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Pefferkorn E, Guillerme O, Saint-Martin P, Savall F, Dedouit F, Telmon N. Age estimation on post-mortem CT based on pelvic bone mineral density measurement and the state of putrefaction: a multivariate method. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:2707-2715. [PMID: 39162803 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03316-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Age-at-death estimation is an important issue in forensic medicine and anthropology. Initially, methods relied on morphological criteria, but with the advancement of radiology, new techniques such as morphological studies on multi-slice computed tomography (CT) reconstructions have emerged. Recent studies have shown promising results by investigating the correlation between age and bone mineral density (BMD). However, there is currently a lack of data on post-mortem CTs (PMCT) involving decomposed bodies, and limited information exists regarding changes in Hounsfield Units measurement in a post-mortem context. In light of these gaps, our study aimed to examine the relationship between age at death and pubic and ilium BMD using a sample of forensic bodies. We also aimed to determine whether post-mortem processes, such as putrefaction, could interfere with this correlation. Our retrospective analysis encompassed 637 PMCTs conducted before medicolegal autopsies at Tours University Hospital. Utilizing simple and multiple linear regressions, we investigated the correlation between age and pubic and ilium BMD, as well as the relationship between BMD and the radiologic alteration index (RAI), a scale employed to quantify the degree of putrefaction. Our findings indicate promising outcomes in age-at-death estimation using pubic and/or ilium BMD for bodies exhibiting no or moderate decomposition (RAI < 80), particularly among individuals under 40 years old. However, for highly decomposed corpses (RAI ≥ 80), the presence of gas infiltration significantly influences the BMD of both the ilium and pubis. Consequently, we advocate for the incorporation of the RAI score into the age estimation equation to enhance the accuracy of our results in such cases. Further investigation involving a larger cohort of decomposed bodies could facilitate refinement and validation of our method within this specific population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eulalie Pefferkorn
- Institute of Legal Medicine, CHRU TOURS, Trousseau Hospital, Avenue de La République, 37170, Chambray-Lès-Tours, France.
| | - Ophélie Guillerme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, CHRU TOURS, Trousseau Hospital, Avenue de La République, 37170, Chambray-Lès-Tours, France
| | - Pauline Saint-Martin
- Institute of Legal Medicine, CHRU TOURS, Trousseau Hospital, Avenue de La République, 37170, Chambray-Lès-Tours, France
| | - Frédéric Savall
- Center of Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, UMR 5288 (CNRS/UT3) - Faculté de Médecine de Purpan, 37 allées J. Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Fabrice Dedouit
- Center of Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, UMR 5288 (CNRS/UT3) - Faculté de Médecine de Purpan, 37 allées J. Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France
| | - Norbert Telmon
- Center of Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, UMR 5288 (CNRS/UT3) - Faculté de Médecine de Purpan, 37 allées J. Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France
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2
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Ganji E, Burshell A, Khicha A, Lee KMN. Bone density in postmenopausal women with scoliosis is associated with markers of degenerative joint disease. Am J Hum Biol 2024; 36:e24130. [PMID: 38979712 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.24130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Bone mineral density (BMD) measured with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the clinical standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and prediction of bone fracture risk. In the aging skeleton, osteoporosis is often concomitantly present with degenerative joint disease (DJD). METHODS In this study, we evaluated tissue-level changes in the differentially loaded concave (CC) and convex (CV) sides of the lumbar spine in a sample of postmenopausal women with scoliosis. We used a cumulative degeneration score to assess osteophyte formation, the severity of sclerotic morphology, and marrow changes as markers of DJD in the lumbar spine and examined the correlation between markers of DJD and BMD. RESULTS More severe osteophyte growth and sclerosis were present on the CC side of the spine. The degenerative score (DS) was higher on the CC side of the lumbar spine compared with the CV side. While CC BMD was positively correlated with CC DS and marrow, CV DS was not correlated with CV BMD. Marrow changes were correlated with DS on the CC lumbar spine. CONCLUSION These results highlight the importance of mechanoadaptive as well as broader inflammatory processes in the manifestation of degenerative changes and local mineral deposition at the lumbar spine. DXA-based BMD measurement of osteoporosis need to be contextualized within the biomechanical and degenerative conditions of a joint rather than using a strict threshold cutoff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Ganji
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Amisha Khicha
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas, USA
| | - Katharine M N Lee
- Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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3
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Reference and target sample age distribution impacts between model types in dental developmental age estimation. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:383-393. [PMID: 36495334 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02925-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The performance of age estimation methods may vary due to a combination of method- and sample-related factors. Method development and evaluation necessitates understanding what influences these factors have on age estimation outcomes. In the specific context of juvenile dental age estimation, we used a single dataset and complete factorial design to systematically test four potential sources of difference: age distributions of reference and target sample (uniform, unimodal, U-shaped), Bayesian (multivariate Bayesian cumulative probit) vs. classical regression modeling (multivariate adaptive regression splines i.e. MARS), and model selection bias. The dataset consisted of 850 sets of left mandibular molar scores from London children 5-18 years old. True age and estimated age intervals in target samples were compared for bias, root-mean-squared error, precision, and accuracy using locally weighted smoothing of performance measures across the age range and means of performance metrics between factor-level combinations. We found interactions of model type, reference distribution, and target distribution. MARS models showed consistent evidence of age mimicry. Central tendency of the reference sample corresponded with increased bias while central tendency of the target sample corresponded with reduced RMSE and reduced precision for both model types. We found evidence of model selection bias, mitigated through averaging model metrics. We conclude that reference and target sample distribution influences and model selection bias are sufficient to cause difference in model performance within a single population. We suggest using Bayesian modeling, drawing uniform reference and target samples, and calculating test error on a hold-out sample to mitigate these challenges in method development.
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Zhang Y, Wang Z, Liao Y, Li T, Xu X, Wu W, Zhou J, Huang W, Luo S, Chen F. A machine-learning approach using pubic CT based on radiomics to estimate adult ages. Eur J Radiol 2022; 156:110516. [PMID: 36115129 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2022.110516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adult skeletal age estimation is an active research field. To evaluate the performance of a pubic CT radiomics-based machine learning model for estimating age, we established a multiple linear regression model based on radiomics and machine learning methods. METHODS A total of 355 subjects were enrolled in this retrospective study from August 2016 to August 2021, and divided into a training cohort (N = 325) and a testing cohort (N = 30). Computerized texture analysis of the semi-automatically segmentation was performed and 107 texture features were extracted from the regions. Then we used univariate linear regression and multivariate stepwise regression to assess correlations of texture parameters with age. The most vital features were used to make the best predictive model. Eventually, the established radiomics model was tested with an additional 30 patients. RESULTS Clinical characteristics include age, sex, height, weight and BMI were not statistically significant different between training and testing cohort (p = 0.098-0.888). Through a multivariate regression analysis using stepwise regression, six texture parameters were found to have significant correlations with age. The regression formula estimating the age was constructed. CONCLUSIONS The radiomics model using machine learning is considered as a new approach forage estimation frompubic symphysis CT features.Digital osteology is obtained in a non-invasive way so that it can be an ideal collection for anthropological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenping Wang
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Liao
- GE Healthcare, Guangzhou 510623, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiansheng Li
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyuan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyuan Huang
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China
| | - Shishi Luo
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No. 19, Xiuhua St, Xiuying Dic, Haikou, Hainan 570311, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Automating the decision making process of Todd’s age estimation method from the pubic symphysis with explainable machine learning. Inf Sci (N Y) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ins.2022.08.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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6
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Marconi V, Iommi M, Monachesi C, Faragalli A, Skrami E, Gesuita R, Ferrante L, Carle F. Validity of age estimation methods and reproducibility of bone/dental maturity indices for chronological age estimation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of validation studies. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15607. [PMID: 36114349 PMCID: PMC9481543 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19944-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Several approaches have been developed to estimate age, an important aspect of forensics and orthodontics, using different measures and radiological examinations. Here, through meta-analysis, we determined the validity of age estimation methods and reproducibility of bone/dental maturity indices used for age estimation. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to December 31, 2021 for human cross-sectional studies meeting pre-defined PICOS criteria that simultaneously assessed the reproducibility and validity. Meta-estimates of validity (mean error: estimated age-chronological age) and intra- and inter-observer reproducibility (Cohen's kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient) and their predictive intervals (PI) were calculated using mixed-effect models when heterogeneity was high (I2 > 50%). The literature search identified 433 studies, and 23 met the inclusion criteria. The mean error meta-estimate (mixed effects model) was 0.08 years (95% CI - 0.12; 0.29) in males and 0.09 (95% CI - 0.12; 0.30) in females. The PI of each method spanned zero; of nine reported estimation methods, Cameriere's had the smallest (- 0.82; 0.47) and Haavikko's the largest (- 7.24; 4.57) PI. The reproducibility meta-estimate (fixed effects model) was 0.98 (95% CI 0.97; 1.00) for intra- and 0.99 (95% CI 0.98; 1.00) for inter-observer agreement. All methods were valid but with different levels of precision. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was high and homogeneous across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Marconi
- Postgraduate School of Medical Statistics and Biometry, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - M Iommi
- Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - C Monachesi
- Department of Pediatrics, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60123, Ancona, Italy
| | - A Faragalli
- Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - E Skrami
- Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
| | - R Gesuita
- Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - L Ferrante
- Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - F Carle
- Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, 20126, Milan, Italy
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7
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DXAGE 2.0 - adult age at death estimation using bone loss in the proximal femur and the second metacarpal. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1483-1494. [PMID: 35624167 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02840-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The accurate age at death assessment of unidentified adult skeletal individuals is a critical research task in forensic anthropology, being a key feature for the determination of biological profiles of individual skeletal remains. We have previously shown that the age-related decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal femur could be used to assess age at death in women (Navega et al., J Forensic Sci 63:497-503, 2018). The present study aims to generate models for age estimation in both sexes through bone densitometry of the femur and radiogrammetry of the second metacarpal. The training sample comprised 224 adults (120 females, 104 males) from the "Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection," and different models were generated through least squares regression and general regression neural networks (GRNN). The models were operationalized in a user-friendly online interface at https://osteomics.com/DXAGE2/ . The mean absolute difference between the known and estimated age at death ranges from 9.39 to 13.18 years among women and from 10.33 to 15.76 among men with the least squares regression models. For the GRNN models, the mean absolute difference between documented and projected age ranges from 8.44 to 12.58 years in women and from 10.56 to 16.18 years in men. DXAGE 2.0 enables age estimation in incomplete and/or fragmentary skeletal remains, using alternative skeletal regions, with reliable results.
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8
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Age estimation for two Mediterranean populations: rib histomorphometry applied to forensic identification and bone remodelling research. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1469-1481. [PMID: 35394177 PMCID: PMC9375747 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02812-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence bone remodelling rates and have shown to affect the accuracy of histological aging methods. The present study investigates the rib cortex from two Mediterranean skeletal collections exploring the development of population-specific standards for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation. Eighty-eight standard ribs from two samples, Cretans and Greek-Cypriots, were processed histologically. Thirteen raw and composite histomorphometric parameters were assessed and observer error tested. The correlation between age and the parameters and the differences between sex and population subsamples were explored through group comparisons and analysis of covariance. General linear models assessed through data fit indicators and cross-validation were generated from the total dataset, and by sex and population subsamples. Most of the histological variables showed a statistically significant correlation with age with some differences observed by sex and by sample. From the twelve models generated, the optimal model for the whole sample included osteon population density (OPD), osteon perimeter, and osteon circularity producing an error of 10.71 years. When sex and samples were separated, the best model selected included OPD and osteon perimeter producing an error of 8.07 years for Greek-Cypriots. This research demonstrates the feasibility of quantitative bone histology to estimate age, obtaining errors rates in accordance with macroscopic ageing techniques. Sex and sample population differences need further investigation and inter-population variation in remodelling rates is suggested. Moreover, this study contributes to the creation of population-specific standards for Cretans and Greek-Cypriots.
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9
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Kim J, Lee S, Choi I, Jeong Y, Woo EJ. A comparative analysis of Bayesian age-at-death estimations using three different priors and Suchey-Brooks standards. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 336:111318. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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10
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Bertilsson C, Borg E, Sten S, Hessman E, Sjöblom H, Lingström P. Prevalence of Dental Caries in Past European Populations: A Systematic Review. Caries Res 2022; 56:15-28. [PMID: 35100581 PMCID: PMC8985005 DOI: 10.1159/000522326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Within the fields of anthropology and osteoarcheology, human teeth have long been studied to understand the diet, habits, and diseases of past civilizations. However, no complete review has been published to collect and analyze the extensive available data on caries prevalence in European man (Homo sapiens) over time. METHOD In this current study, the two databases, Scopus and Art, Design, and Architecture Collection, were searched using predefined search terms. The literature was systematically reviewed and assessed by two of the authors. RESULTS The findings include a significant nonlinear correlation with increasing caries prevalence in European populations from 9000 BC to 1850 AD, for both the number of carious teeth and the number of affected individuals. CONCLUSION Despite the well-established collective belief that caries rates fluctuate between different locations and time and the general view that caries rates have increased from prehistoric times and onwards, this is to our knowledge the first time this relationship has been proven based on published data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bertilsson
- Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Borg
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sabine Sten
- Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Campus Gotland, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Hessman
- Biomedical Library, Gothenburg University Library, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helen Sjöblom
- Biomedical Library, Gothenburg University Library, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Lingström
- Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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11
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Ost AM. Age-at-death estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: A test of a sex-specific component method. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:868-876. [PMID: 35037705 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Accurate age-at-death estimation is important for both paleodemographic studies and forensic casework. Although the auricular surface of the ilium is a well-validated skeletal indicator for aging studies, problems persist with identifying features that estimate age accurately in older individuals. This study tests the utility of one method, developed by Igarashi et al. (2005), which claims to estimate age more accurately in older individuals using a presence/absence scoring system for 13 auricular surface traits. Four hundred (400) individuals, aged 16-93 years, from the Hamann-Todd Collection were examined to test the performance of Igarashi et al.'s method in a North American sample. Pearson's product-moment correlation tests were performed for both the overall method and individual traits to assess correlation with chronological age. Eleven of the 13 traits showed statically significant correlations with chronological age, and nine were found to have higher correlations than originally reported. The method showed a tendency toward negative bias (i.e., a tendency to under-age individuals, particularly in the older age range). Models for both males and females and full and reduced models developed by Igarashi et al. were tested; the sex-pooled full model performed best, and the female full model performed most poorly. Although this method did not have significantly higher accuracy rates in a North American sample than other auricular surface methods, unique traits identified by Igarashi et al. did correlate with chronological age. In future studies, these traits should be investigated using different scoring systems (e.g., character states), as they show utility for aging research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Ost
- Anthropology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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12
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Warrier V, Kanchan T, Garg PK, Dixit SG, Krishan K, Shedge R. CT-based evaluation of the acetabulum for age estimation in an Indian population. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:785-795. [PMID: 35001167 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Age estimation constitutes an important aspect of forensic research, investigation and human identification. For the purpose of age estimation, various markers within the skeletal framework are employed. Degenerative morphological changes in the skeleton can be used for age estimation in adults. Amongst the various bones, age-progressive changes in the innominate bone are of particular significance in age estimation. Within the pelvis, the acetabulum presents as a durable and well-preserved evidence, characteristic manifestations of which can be employed for age estimation. The present study aimed at a CT-based evaluation of acetabular changes for the purpose of age estimation in an Indian population. CT images of 250 individuals aged 10-88 years were scrutinized according to the features defined in the Calce method of acetabular age estimation. Scores were allotted to the various features and a cumulative score was calculated. No significant bilateral and sex differences were observed. Significant correlation was obtained between the scores for these defined characteristics and the chronological age of individuals. Population-specific regression models were generated for age estimation. The scoring method devised in the present research requires further validation as it represents a new tool for age estimation in medico-legal cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Warrier
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005.
| | - Pawan Kumar Garg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
| | - Shilpi Gupta Dixit
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
| | - Kewal Krishan
- Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, 160014
| | - Rutwik Shedge
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
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13
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Contribution of the use of clavicle bone density in age estimation. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1017-1025. [PMID: 34988616 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02741-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Age estimation is an essential element in the field of forensics and is also of judicial interest in forensic medicine of the living. Despite all the methods, age estimation is often imprecise with many biases, especially in mature individuals. The main objective of our study is to assess the correlation between age and computed tomography bone mineral density of the medial end of the clavicle. A sample of 180 chest multi-slice computed tomography scans without contrast injection performed in living individuals, with suspected respiratory infection, aged 15 to 100 years was used. Bone density measurement was performed on the medial meta-epiphyseal region of the clavicles. A significant negative correlation was found between bone density and age of individuals (p-value < 0.05). The mean absolute error was calculated for men at 13.4 years and 13.1 years for women, which was associated with an absence of bias. Good precision of the estimate for both sexes was also calculated on a subgroup of individuals whose age was greater than 40 years, with average absolute errors of about 12 years, which was associated with an absence of relative error. In view of our preliminary results, the study of bone density of the medial end of the clavicle could be of interest in the estimation of age. Several studies will be necessary to evaluate the reproducibility of these results on independent bone samples and in the estimation of age in the living individual.
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PEDERSEN LUCILLET, DOMETT KATE. Adult age at death estimation: methods tested on Thai postcranial skeletal remains. ANTHROPOL SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1537/ase.211219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - KATE DOMETT
- College of Medicine & Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville
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15
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Sgheiza V. Conditional independence assumption and appropriate number of stages in dental developmental age estimation. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 330:111135. [PMID: 34883298 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
When estimating the age of an individual it is critical that 1) age ranges are as narrow as possible while still capturing the true age of the individual with an acceptable frequency, and 2) this frequency is known. When multiple traits are used to produce a single age estimate, the simplest practice is to assume that the traits are conditionally independent from one another given age. Unfortunately, if the traits are correlated once the effect of age is accounted for, the resulting age intervals will be too narrow. The frequency at which the age interval captures the true age of the individual will be decreased below the expected value to some unknown degree. It is therefore critical that age estimation methods that include multiple traits incorporate the possible correlations between them. Moorrees et al. (1963) [1] scores of the permanent mandibular dentition from 2607 individuals between 2 and 23 years were used to produce and cross-validate a cumulative probit model for age estimation with an optimal number of stages for each tooth. Two correction methods for covariance of development between teeth were tested: the variance-covariance matrix for a multivariate normal, and the Boldsen et al. (2002) [2] ad-hoc method. Both correction methods successfully decreased age interval error rates from 21% to 23% in the uncorrected model to the expected value of 5%. These results demonstrate both the efficacy of these correction methods and the need to move away from assuming conditional independence in multi-trait age estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Sgheiza
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Anthropology, 109 Davenport Hall, 607 S. Matthews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
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Jooste N, Pretorius S, Steyn M. Performance of three mathematical models for estimating age-at-death from multiple indicators of the adult skeleton. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:739-751. [PMID: 34767061 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The mathematical method which will achieve the most accurate and precise age-at-death estimate from the adult skeleton is often debated. Some research promotes Bayesian analysis, which is widely considered better suited to the data construct of adult age-at-death distributions. Other research indicates that methods with less mathematical complexity produce equally accurate and precise age-at-death estimates. One of the advantages of Bayesian analysis is the ability to systematically combine multiple indicators, which is reported to improve the age-at-death estimate. Few comparisons exist between Bayesian analysis and less complex mathematical models when considering multiple skeletal indicators. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a Bayesian approach compared to a phase-based averaging method and linear regression analysis using multiple skeletal indicators. The three combination methods were constructed from age-at-death data collected from 330 adult skeletons contained in the Raymond A Dart and Pretoria Bone Collections in South Africa. These methods were tested and compared using a hold-out sample of 30 skeletons. As is frequently reported in literature, a balance between accuracy and precision was difficult to obtain from the three selected methods. However, the averaging and regression analysis methods outperformed the Bayesian approach in both accuracy and precision. Nevertheless, each method may be suited to its own unique situation-averaging to inform first impressions, multiple linear regression to achieve statistically defensible accuracies and precisions and Bayesian analysis to allow for cases where category adjustments or missing indicators are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolene Jooste
- Human Variation and Identification Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Samantha Pretorius
- Independent Actuary and Researcher, Fellow of the Actuarial Society of Southern Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Maryna Steyn
- Human Variation and Identification Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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17
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Kim J, Algee‐Hewitt BFB. Age‐at‐death patterns and transition analysis trends for three Asian populations: Implications for [paleo]demography. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Kim
- Anatomy, Midwestern University Downers Grove Illinois USA
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Imaizumi K, Usui S, Taniguchi K, Ogawa Y, Nagata T, Kaga K, Hayakawa H, Shiotani S. Development of an age estimation method for bones based on machine learning using post-mortem computed tomography images of bones. FORENSIC IMAGING 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2021.200477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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19
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Bascou A, Dubourg O, Telmon N, Dedouit F, Saint-Martin P, Savall F. Age estimation based on computed tomography exploration: a combined method. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2447-2455. [PMID: 34328552 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02666-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite an extensive number of existing methods, age estimation of human remains is still an unsolved matter in the field of forensic anthropology, especially when it comes to mature adults. The specific aim of this work was to propose a combined method for age estimation, for forensic purposes, by coupling the Suchey-Brooks method and the measure of the pubic bone density. For this purpose, we used an independent test sample comprising 339 CT scans of living individuals aged 15 to 99 years old. Measurement of bone density and staging according to the Suchey-Brooks phases were performed, followed by estimation of ages based on a combined method and an existing virtual reference sample. Results highlighted a significant negative correlation between bone density and age. Good accuracy was obtained for the measurement of pubic bone density for age estimation of men and women, especially concerning mature adults, with an absolute error ranging from 9 to 16 years for all individuals. The authors propose a practical combined method consisting of, first, allocating phases according to the scannographic approach of the Suchey-Brooks method. For phases I to IV, the age estimation is given using the Suchey-Brooks method. For phases V to VI, the pubic bone density measurement is used. Further study will be needed to assess the reproducibility of these results on cadavers and dry bones, as the post-mortem process could interfere with the measurement of mineral bone density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Bascou
- Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
| | - Olivier Dubourg
- UNAM, Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 4 rue Larrey, 49933, Angers Cedex 9, France
| | - Norbert Telmon
- Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Fabrice Dedouit
- Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Pauline Saint-Martin
- Institut Médico-Légal, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, 37044, Tours Cedex 9, France
| | - Frederic Savall
- Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
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20
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Clark AL, Stantis C, Buckley HR, Tayles N. Oral health of the prehistoric Rima Rau cave burials, Atiu, Cook Islands. J R Soc N Z 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2020.1730414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela L. Clark
- Faculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Christina Stantis
- Department of Archaeology, Anthropology, and Forensic Science, University of Bournemouth, Poole, UK
| | | | - Nancy Tayles
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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21
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Hisham S, Abdullah N, Mohamad Noor MH, Franklin D. Quantification of Pubic Symphysis Metamorphosis Based on the Analysis of Clinical MDCT Scans in a Contemporary Malaysian Population. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1803-1811. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Salina Hisham
- Centre for Forensic Anthropology M420 The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Department of Forensic Medicine Hospital Sultanah Aminah Ministry of Health Malaysia Persiaran Abu Bakar Sultan, 80100 Johor Bahru Johor Malaysia
| | - Nurliza Abdullah
- National Institute of Forensic Medicine Hospital Kuala Lumpur Ministry of Health Malaysia Jalan Pahang 50586 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Helmee Mohamad Noor
- Department of Radiology Hospital Kuala Lumpur Ministry of Health Malaysia Jalan Pahang 50586Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Daniel Franklin
- Centre for Forensic Anthropology M420 The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
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22
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Hall F, Forbes S, Rowbotham S, Blau S. Using
PMCT
of Individuals of Known Age to Test the Suchey–Brooks Method of Aging in Victoria, Australia. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1782-1787. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Hall
- Faculty of Science Centre for Forensic Science University of Technology Sydney Broadway, Ultimo 2007 New South Wales Australia
| | - Shari Forbes
- Département de Chimie Biochimie et Physique Université du Québec à Trois‐Rivières, Boulevard des Forges G8Z 4M3Trois‐Rivières Québec Canada
| | - Samantha Rowbotham
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine/Department of Forensic Medicine Monash University Kavanagh St Southbank Victoria Australia
| | - Soren Blau
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine/Department of Forensic Medicine Monash University Kavanagh St Southbank Victoria Australia
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23
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Dubourg O, Faruch-Bilfeld M, Telmon N, Maupoint E, Saint-Martin P, Savall F. Correlation between pubic bone mineral density and age from a computed tomography sample. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 298:345-350. [PMID: 30927722 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In forensic anthropology, the estimation of age at death is mainly required to establish a biological profile and facilitate individual identification. The Suchey-Brooks (SB) system represents one of the most commonly used and tested methods of assessment based on the morphological characteristics of the pubic symphysis. However, this method has certain drawbacks, including frequently inaccurate estimation for older individuals. The aim of this work was to test the evolution of pubic bone mineral density (BMD) according to age, especially for individuals over 40 years old. We retrospectively studied pubic bones from males (n = 88) and females (n = 113) over 40 years of age undergoing clinical multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in a French hospital between November 2017 and April 2018. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between BMD and age for males (R = -0.62) and females (R = -0.55). The intra- and inter-observer reliabilities of the phase allocation were moderate for males (kappa values at 0.72 and 0.65) and strong for females (kappa values at 0.93 and 0.86). Moreover, a significant difference in BMD between stages 6-1 and 6-2 for males was observed. We hypothesize that BMD might help improve the reliability of the SB system for older individuals. In addition to the pubic bone, numerous other anatomical regions such as the area of Ward could represent interesting areas of study in order to relate bone density to age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Dubourg
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Toulouse III, AMIS FRE 2960 CNRS, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France; UNAM, Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 4 Rue Larrey, 49933 Angers Cedex 9, France.
| | - Marie Faruch-Bilfeld
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Toulouse III, AMIS FRE 2960 CNRS, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France; Institut de L'appareil Locomoteur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Purpan, Bâtiment Pierre Paul Riquet, Place du Dr Baylac, TSA, 40031, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Norbert Telmon
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Toulouse III, AMIS FRE 2960 CNRS, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France; Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rangueil, 1 Avenue du, Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Estelle Maupoint
- Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rangueil, 1 Avenue du, Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Pauline Saint-Martin
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Toulouse III, AMIS FRE 2960 CNRS, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France; Institut Médico-Légal, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, 37044 Tours Cedex 9, France
| | - Frédéric Savall
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et d'Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Toulouse III, AMIS FRE 2960 CNRS, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France; Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rangueil, 1 Avenue du, Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
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24
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Application of the recent SanMillán–Rissech acetabular adult aging method in a North American sample. Int J Legal Med 2019; 133:909-920. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02005-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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25
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Navega D, Godinho M, Cunha E, Ferreira MT. A test and analysis of Calce (2012) method for skeletal age-at-death estimation using the acetabulum in a modern skeletal sample. Int J Legal Med 2018; 132:1447-1455. [PMID: 30046884 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In forensic anthropology, the age-at-death of an adult individual is one of the most complex parameters of the biological profile to estimate. The present study aims to evaluate the reliability of the Calce (2012) method for the estimation of age-at-death through acetabulum changes in a sample of Portuguese origin. This method consists of the global analysis of acetabular age-related morphology with focus on three specific traits, namely the acetabular groove, the osteophyte development of the acetabular rim, and the apex growth. This method was tested in 120 individuals sampled from the Twenty-first Century Identified Skeletal Collection (University of Coimbra, Portugal). The test sample is composed of 60 males and 60 females, aged between 25 and 99 years, with well-preserved os coxae. The results showed that only 60% of the individuals were correctly attributed to the age group defined by the technique. The comparison with previous studies in other populations shows significant inter-population differences in the relationship between the acetabulum variables used by Calce and age-at-death. The obtained results advise caution in the use of the Calce (2012) method to estimate the age-at-death of unidentified skeletons.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Navega
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Laboratório de Antropologia Forense, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade de Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Maria Godinho
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Cunha
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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26
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Stoyanova DK, Algee-Hewitt BFB, Kim J, Slice DE. A Study on the Asymmetry of the Human Left and Right Pubic Symphyseal Surfaces Using High-Definition Data Capture and Computational Shape Methods. J Forensic Sci 2018; 64:494-501. [PMID: 30028900 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The pubic symphysis is among the most commonly used bilateral age indicators. Because of potential differences between right and left sides, it is necessary to investigate within-individual asymmetry, which can inflate age estimation error. This study uses 3D laser scans of paired pubic symphyses for 88 documented White males. Scan data are analyzed by numerical shape algorithms, proposed as an alternative to traditional visual assessment techniques. Results are used to quantify the within-individual asymmetry, evaluating if one side produces a better age-estimate. Relationships between the asymmetry and advanced age, weight, and stature are examined. This analysis indicates that the computational, shape-based techniques are robust to asymmetry (>80% of paired differences are within 10 years and >90% are within 15 years). For notably more asymmetric cases, differences in estimates are not associated with life history factors. Based on this study, either side can be used for age-at-death estimation by the computational methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Detelina K Stoyanova
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306
| | - Bridget F B Algee-Hewitt
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306.,Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306
| | - Dennis E Slice
- Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306.,Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
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27
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Mânica S, Wong FSL, Davis G, Liversidge HM. Estimating age using permanent molars and third cervical vertebrae shape with a novel semi-automated method. J Forensic Leg Med 2018; 58:140-144. [PMID: 29966814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Estimating chronological age accurately in young adults is difficult and additional methods are required to increase the accuracy. This study explored a new semi-automated method to assess shape change of third cervical vertebra (C3) with age in the living; comparing this as a method to determine whether individuals could be categorised into being less than 18 years of age (<18), or at least 18 years of age (≥18) with tooth formation of the second and third mandibular molars (M2 and M3). The sample was panoramic and lateral skull radiographs of 174 dental patients (78 males, 96 females aged 15-22 years). Twelve variables were compared in two age categories: younger than 18 and at least 18 years of age in males and females separately using a t-test. Tooth formation of M2 and M3 was assessed. Mean values of eight variables of C3 in males and one variable in females were significantly different between the two age categories (p < 0.05). Results for males showed that the best age indicator for age ≥18 was the ratio between height and width of C3 and for females, the ratio between diagonals. Results for molars showed that M2 was mature in 69% of males and 83% of females, within the expected age range of 14-16 years. M3 was highly variable ranging from stages 6-14 for both; M3 was missing in 24% of males and 28% of females and mature in 14% of males and 15% of females. The conclusion was that shape change of C3 has potential as an additional method to group individuals <18 and ≥ 18 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scheila Mânica
- Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
| | | | - Graham Davis
- Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK
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28
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Age estimation of adult human remains from hip bones using advanced methods. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 287:163-175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Pomeroy E, Macintosh A, Wells JC, Cole TJ, Stock JT. Relationship between body mass, lean mass, fat mass, and limb bone cross-sectional geometry: Implications for estimating body mass and physique from the skeleton. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 166:56-69. [PMID: 29344931 PMCID: PMC6178563 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Estimating body mass from skeletal dimensions is widely practiced, but methods for estimating its components (lean and fat mass) are poorly developed. The ability to estimate these characteristics would offer new insights into the evolution of body composition and its variation relative to past and present health. This study investigates the potential of long bone cross-sectional properties as predictors of body, lean, and fat mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS Humerus, femur and tibia midshaft cross-sectional properties were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography in sample of young adult women (n = 105) characterized by a range of activity levels. Body composition was estimated from bioimpedance analysis. RESULTS Lean mass correlated most strongly with both upper and lower limb bone properties (r values up to 0.74), while fat mass showed weak correlations (r ≤ 0.29). Estimation equations generated from tibial midshaft properties indicated that lean mass could be estimated relatively reliably, with some improvement using logged data and including bone length in the models (minimum standard error of estimate = 8.9%). Body mass prediction was less reliable and fat mass only poorly predicted (standard errors of estimate ≥11.9% and >33%, respectively). DISCUSSION Lean mass can be predicted more reliably than body mass from limb bone cross-sectional properties. The results highlight the potential for studying evolutionary trends in lean mass from skeletal remains, and have implications for understanding the relationship between bone morphology and body mass or composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Pomeroy
- School of Natural Sciences and PsychologyLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool, L3 3AFUnited Kingdom
| | - Alison Macintosh
- ADaPt Project, PAVE Research Group, Department of Archaeology and AnthropologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridge, CB2 3QGUnited Kingdom
| | - Jonathan C.K. Wells
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondon, WC1N 1EHUnited Kingdom
| | - Tim J. Cole
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondon, WC1N 1EHUnited Kingdom
| | - Jay T. Stock
- ADaPt Project, PAVE Research Group, Department of Archaeology and AnthropologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridge, CB2 3QGUnited Kingdom
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntario, N6A 3K7Canada
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30
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Castelucci BG, Consonni SR, Rosa VS, Sensiate LA, Delatti PCR, Alvares LE, Joazeiro PP. Time-dependent regulation of morphological changes and cartilage differentiation markers in the mouse pubic symphysis during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195304. [PMID: 29621303 PMCID: PMC5886480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models commonly serve as a bridge between in vitro experiments and clinical applications; however, few physiological processes in adult animals are sufficient to serve as proof-of-concept models for cartilage regeneration. Intriguingly, some rodents, such as young adult mice, undergo physiological connective tissue modifications to birth canal elements such as the pubic symphysis during pregnancy; therefore, we investigated whether the differential expression of cartilage differentiation markers is associated with cartilaginous tissue morphological modifications during these changes. Our results showed that osteochondral progenitor cells expressing Runx2, Sox9, Col2a1 and Dcx at the non-pregnant pubic symphysis proliferated and differentiated throughout pregnancy, giving rise to a complex osteoligamentous junction that attached the interpubic ligament to the pubic bones until labour occurred. After delivery, the recovery of pubic symphysis cartilaginous tissues was improved by the time-dependent expression of these chondrocytic lineage markers at the osteoligamentous junction. This process potentially recapitulates embryologic chondrocytic differentiation to successfully recover hyaline cartilaginous pads at 10 days postpartum. Therefore, we propose that this physiological phenomenon represents a proof-of-concept model for investigating the mechanisms involved in cartilage restoration in adult animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Gazieri Castelucci
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail: (BGC); (SRC); (PPJ)
| | - Sílvio Roberto Consonni
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail: (BGC); (SRC); (PPJ)
| | - Viviane Souza Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Lucimara Aparecida Sensiate
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Paula Cristina Rugno Delatti
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Lúcia Elvira Alvares
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Pinto Joazeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail: (BGC); (SRC); (PPJ)
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Mays S. How should we diagnose disease in palaeopathology? Some epistemological considerations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2018; 20:12-19. [PMID: 29496211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper analyses some of the epistemological frameworks that underpin diagnosis in palaeopathology. Currently, the dominant approach is comparative: relationships between skeletal lesions and disease in a reference group in which there is independent evidence of the diseases present in individuals are used to identify disease in unknown archaeological skeletons on the basis of the lesions present. This is essentially a reference sample - target sample approach, analogous to that used to develop methodology in other areas of biological anthropology (e.g. age estimation in palaeodemography). As well as considerable strengths, this approach also has significant weaknesses. Many of these arise from the nature of the reference material (mainly pathology museum and other skeletal collections, and published collations of medical imaging data) used to develop diagnostic criteria. There may also be a tendency toward over-emphasis on pattern-matching between reference and target material, and an under-emphasis on developing our understanding of the biology of bone lesions. Despite its shortcomings, the comparative approach is likely to remain the foundation of most palaeopathological work, but we should increasingly augment it with other diagnostic approaches, especially those grounded in the pathophysiology of bony responses to disease.
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Schaffer WC, Dunn TE. Accuracy and Reliability of Total Body Mass Estimation Techniques from Stature and Bi-iliac Breadth in Non-Hispanic U.S. Whites from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:1486-1491. [PMID: 29272559 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper tests the fidelity of a recent method that used the NHANES III dataset as a proxy to estimate total body mass from stature and bi-iliac breadth in U.S. White males and females. The bi-iliac breadths of 230 males and 152 females identified as non-Hispanic U.S. White from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection were measured, and along with stature from predonor paperwork, total body mass estimates were calculated and then compared to body masses recorded on predonor paperwork. Male and female samples were subdivided by body mass index (BMI [kg/m2 ]) categories established by the World Health Organization. Our results suggest that total body mass estimates can be accurately assessed provided that the individual is within 18.50 ≤ BMI ≤ 29.99 for White males and 18.50 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.99 for White females. Recommendations on how to report total body mass estimates are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Schaffer
- Liberal Arts Department, Phoenix College, 1202 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013.,School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, 900 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281
| | - Tyler E Dunn
- Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Laboratory, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, NE, 68113.,Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 109 Davenport Hall, Urbana, IL, 61801
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Pomeroy E, Mirazón Lahr M, Crivellaro F, Farr L, Reynolds T, Hunt CO, Barker G. Newly discovered Neanderthal remains from Shanidar Cave, Iraqi Kurdistan, and their attribution to Shanidar 5. J Hum Evol 2017; 111:102-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Navega D, Coelho JD, Cunha E, Curate F. DXAGE: A New Method for Age at Death Estimation Based on Femoral Bone Mineral Density and Artificial Neural Networks. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:497-503. [PMID: 28851106 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Age at death estimation in adult skeletons is hampered, among others, by the unremarkable correlation of bone estimators with chronological age, implementation of inappropriate statistical techniques, observer error, and skeletal incompleteness or destruction. Therefore, it is beneficial to consider alternative methods to assess age at death in adult skeletons. The decrease in bone mineral density with age was explored to generate a method to assess age at death in human remains. A connectionist computational approach, artificial neural networks, was employed to model femur densitometry data gathered in 100 female individuals from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection. Bone mineral density declines consistently with age and the method performs appropriately, with mean absolute differences between known and predicted age ranging from 9.19 to 13.49 years. The proposed method-DXAGE-was implemented online to streamline age estimation. This preliminary study highlights the value of densitometry to assess age at death in human remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Navega
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João d'Oliveira Coelho
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Cunha
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Curate
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behavior, Faculdade das Ciĉncias Humanas e Sociais, University of Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
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Age estimation at death using pubic bone analysis of a virtual reference sample. Int J Legal Med 2017; 132:609-615. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1656-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Rissech C, Appleby J, Cosso A, Reina F, Carrera A, Thomas R. The influence of bone loss on the three adult age markers of the innominate. Int J Legal Med 2017; 132:289-300. [PMID: 28573556 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1604-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the influence of bone loss on the three adult age markers of the innominate, 30 males and 30 females aged between 16 and 80 years coming from the British Coventry collection were analyzed. The pubic symphysis, auricular surface, and acetabulum age variables were evaluated following the descriptions of Schmitt, Buckberry-Chamberlain, and Rissech, respectively. The second metacarpal cortical index was used to evaluate bone loss. Possible sexual differences in metrical variables were explored by a Student t-test taking into account the entire sample. The possible relationships between the cortical index and the three age methods' stages were assessed by the Kruskall-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. There were no sexual differences in the cortical index. In general, we observed no significant differences between the cortical index in the different stages of the pubic symphysis, auricular surface, or acetabulum variables in men and women. Most correlation coefficients are negatives, and their absolute values are between 0.001 and 0.44, indicating an extremely low influence of bone loss on the analyzed variables. Our findings suggest little influence of bone loss in the three ageing methods. However, further research on this topic is necessary. This is the first study to analyze the influence of bone loss in the ageing changes undergone by the variables of the three adult age indicators of the innominate taking into account both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Rissech
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leiciester, LE1 7RH, UK. .,Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Carrer Emili Grahit, 77, 17071, Girona, Spain.
| | - Jo Appleby
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leiciester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Alessandra Cosso
- Dipartimento di Storia, Scienze dell'Uomo e della Formazione, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Umberto, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francisco Reina
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Carrer Emili Grahit, 77, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Carrera
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Carrer Emili Grahit, 77, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Richard Thomas
- School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leiciester, LE1 7RH, UK
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Mays S. A test of a skeletal ageing method based on resorption of the alveolar crest following tooth loss using a skeletal population of documented age at death. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2017; 163:242-251. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Mays
- Research Department; Historic England; Portsmouth PO4 9LD United Kingdom
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Mays S. Bone-formers and bone-losers in an archaeological population. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2015; 159:577-84. [PMID: 26667211 PMCID: PMC5064654 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Recent biomedical research suggests that, in modern human populations, individuals may vary in their inherent tendency toward bone formation at skeletal and extra‐skeletal locations. However, the nature of this phenomenon is incompletely understood, and the extent to which it might apply to past populations is unclear. It is hypothesized that if there is inter‐individual variation in some overall tendency toward bone formation in skeletal and extra‐skeletal sites then there should be a positive relationship between ligamentous ossification and thickness of cortical bone. This work is a test of this hypothesis in an archaeological population. Materials and Methods The study material comprises adult skeletons (N = 137 individuals) of documented age at death from 18th to 19th century London. It examines the relationship between bone deposition in the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) in the thoracic spine and cortical index (CI) at the metacarpal measured by radiogrammetry. Results Controlling for the potential confounders age, sex, skeletal completeness, occupation (males) and parity (females), there was a positive association between ossification into the ALL and CI. This reflects lesser medullary cavity width in those showing ALL ossification. Discussion Ligamentous ossification in the axial skeleton and peripheral cortical bone status are linked, individuals with ALL ossification showing lesser resorption of cortical bone at the endosteal surface. This is consistent with the idea of inter‐individual variation in some general bone‐forming/bone‐losing tendency in this 200 year old study population, but there was no evidence of a link between ALL ossification and increased skeletal subperiosteal bone deposition. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:577–584, 2016. © 2015 The Authors American Journal of Physical Anthropology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Mays
- Research Department, Historic England, Portsmouth, PO4 9LD, UK
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Abstract
CONTEXT Adult age-at-death is presented in a number of different ways by anthropologists. Ordinal categories predominate in osteoarchaeology, but do not reflect individual variation in ageing, with too many adults being classified as "middle adults". In addition, mean ages (derived from reference samples) are overly-relied upon when developing and testing methods. In both cases, "age mimicry" is not adequately accounted for. OBJECTIVES To highlight the many inherent biases created when developing, testing and applying age-estimation methods without fully considering the impact of "age mimicry" and individual variation. METHODS The paper draws on previously published research (Web of Science, Pub Med, Google Scholar) on age estimation methods and their use in anthropology. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of consistency in the methods used to estimate age and for the mode of combining them. Ordinal categories are frequently used in osteoarchaeology, whereas forensic anthropologists are more likely to produce case-specific age ranges. Mean ages reflect the age structure of reference samples and should not be used to estimate age for individuals from populations with a different age-at-death structure. Individual-specific age ranges and/or probability densities should be used to report individual age. Further research should be undertaken on how to create unbiased, combined method age estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Buckberry
- a Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford , Bradford , UK
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