Estimating Age-at-Death in Forensic Anthropology

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to estimating age-at-death in forensic anthropology.

Newborn

A human infant from birth to approximately 28 days.

Chronological Age

The actual age of a person, as listed in documents like a passport.

Biological Age

The age of an individual's cells, indicating how the aging process has affected the body.

Social Age

Age defined by societal norms and expectations, which can differ across cultures and time periods.

Osteology

The study of bones and skeletal structures, particularly in relation to age estimation.

Bioarchaeology

The study of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites to understand past populations.

Epiphyseal Fusion

The process by which the growth plates of bones close, often used to estimate age.

Dental Development

The process of teeth formation and eruption, crucial for estimating the age of immature skeletons.

Pubic Symphysis

A joint in the pelvis that undergoes morphological changes with age, used for age estimation in adults.

Auricular Surface

Part of the pelvis that shows regular changes with age and can be used for age estimation.

Skeletal Fusion

The process of bone fusing, important for understanding skeletal maturity and estimating age.

Methods of Age Assessment

Techniques used to estimate the age at death from skeletal remains, including dental, long bone length, and fusion methods.

Dental Wear

The gradual deterioration of teeth over time, which can indicate an individual's age.

Cranial Suture Closure

A method of estimating age by examining the fusion of sutures in the skull.

Ethical Considerations

Moral principles guiding the examination and study of human remains.

Sexual Dimorphism

The differences in appearance between males and females, which can affect skeletal analysis.