Age at Death Estimation

intrinsic factors

genetics

extrinsic factors

nutrition, stress, environment, disease status, activity, etc.

formative changes

modifications that occur during growth and development

subadult aging

• dental formation and eruption

• length of developing long bones

• appearance and fusion of ossification centers

dental development

• most accurate; narrow age ranges

• sequence of tooth formation

• sequence of tooth eruption

tooth formation

cusps → crown → root → closing of root apex

diaphyseal length

• measurement of immature long bones without epiphyses

• age can be estimated until epiphyses unite

appearance/fusion of ossification centers

primary and secondary centers appear roughly according to a schedule

epiphyseal union

• process by which primary and secondary ossification centers unite

• normally correlated with chronological age

• most fusion occurs between 15-23

• first → elbow region

• last → medial clavical

degenerative changes

modifications that occur as a result of normal age-related changes, wear and tear, disease, etc., less reliable, age estimates cannot be as narrow

symphyseal face

key anatomical features:

• symphyseal rim

• ventral rampart/border

• dorsal plateau/aspect

• upper/lower extremities

younger age ranges

• pubic symphysis has prominent ridges and furrows (billowing)

• upper and lower extremities become delimited

middle age ranges

• lower rim complete dorsally; gap ventrally

• oval outline complete; remnants of billowing

older age ranges

• pubic symphysis face becomes depressed, porotic

• rim breaks down, irregular in shape, lipping present

sternal rib ends

other rib morphology terms:

• scalloping

• central arc (females)

• plaque deposits (females)

• porosity within pit

• window formation (gaps in ossifying cartilage)

older sternal rib ends

with age, a rim extends, thins, and becomes irregular

• surface porosity increases

• bone becomes ragged: “crab claw” appearance

auricular surface

secondary age estimation method:

• age-related remodeling of the joint surface

• pro: durable → likely to be preserved

• con: methods difficult to apply