Epiphyseal Union of the Cervical Vertebral Centra: Its Relationship to Skeletal Age and Maturation of Thoracic Vertebral Centra

Epiphyseal union stages for cervical vertebral centra (ring epiphyses) were documented for 55 individuals (females and males, ages 14–27 years) from the Terry Collection, using the Albert and Maples method 1, to examine both its relationship to age at death and to thoracic data collected from the same individuals using the same method. Results showed a moderate correlation between cervical ring union and age (r = 0.63, p = 0.000), and a fairly low correlation between cervical and thoracic ring union (r = 0.41, p = 0.002). Paired samples t‐tests yielded a statistically significant difference between cervical and thoracic union mean values (p = 0.01). Union progressed earlier in cervical vertebrae and in females. Results indicated fairly substantial variation in both sexes. Findings may serve as a basic guideline for estimating a general age range at death for unknown skeletal remains and to corroborate findings from other skeletal age indicators.     

Sacral fusion as an aid in age estimation

The degree of fusion at the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae has been scored in 242 male and female skeletons from the Lisbon documented collection, ranging from 16 to 59 years old in age. Statistical tests indicate a sex difference towards earlier fusion in young females compared with young males, as well as a clear association between degree of fusion and age. Similar results have been found by other authors in documented skeletal samples from Coimbra and Sassari, and the recommendations stated by these authors regarding age estimation have been positively tested in the Lisbon collection. Although more research from geographically diverse samples is required, a general picture of the pattern of sacral fusion and its associations with age and sex is emerging. We also provide a practical example of the usefulness of the sacrum for age estimation in a forensic setting, a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War. It is concluded that the scoring of the degree of fusion of the sacral vertebrae, specially of S(1-2), can be a simple tool for assigning skeletons to broad age groups, and it should be implemented as another resource for age estimation in the study of human skeletal remains.     

Sex Determination from the Frontal Bone: A Geometric Morphometric Study

Sex estimation in human skeletal remains when using the cranium through traditional methods is a fundamental pillar in human identification; however, it may be possible to incur in a margin of error due because of the state of preservation in incomplete or fragmented remains. The aim of this investigation was sex estimation through the geometric morphometric analysis of the frontal bone. The sample employed 60 lateral radiographs of adult subjects of both sexes (30 males and 30 females), aged between 18 and 40 years, with mean age for males of 28 ± 4 and 30 ± 6 years for females. Thin‐plate splines evidenced strong expansion of the glabellar region in males and contraction in females. No significant differences were found between sexes with respect to size. The findings suggest differences in shape and size in the glabellar region, besides reaffirming the use of geometric morphometrics as a quantitative method in sex estimation.     

The rhomboid fossa of the clavicle as a sex and age estimator

The costoclavicular (rhomboid) ligament connects the first rib to the clavicle, stabilizing the pectoral girdle. It produces skeletal traits that may be tubercles, roughened impressions, shallow groove-like fossae, deep fossae, or leave no trace. A pit or depression at this site is often called a "rhomboid fossa." While these markings may appear pathological, they are normal variants of the clavicle. Using a large contemporary sample (N = 344:113 females, 231 males), we evaluated the presence of a rhomboid fossa as a sex and age indicator for unidentified skeletal remains. Logistic regression found significant relationships between the presence of a rhomboid fossa and sex and between presence of a rhomboid fossa and age. Fossae were more common in males (36% left, 31% right) than in females (3% left, 8% right). Posterior probabilities suggest that a fossa on the right clavicle is indicative of a male with 81.7% probability; a fossa on the left is indicative of a male with 92.2% probability. Younger individuals more commonly exhibited rhomboid fossae than older individuals, and the largest fossae were most common in males 20-30 years of age. However, the age effect was not conclusive and must be corroborated by other methods. A test of the sex estimation method on an independent sample (26 males, 23 females) found nine males and only one female with fossae present on the left clavicle. When the costoclavicular attachment exhibits an impression, a tubercle, or leaves no trace, this method cannot be used for sex estimation. When a clavicle exhibits a rhomboid fossa, it is likely from a male. The greater difference in fossa expression between the sexes on the left clavicle makes use of the left bone preferable. This technique can corroborate other sex estimates or provide an estimate for unknown individuals in the absence of other skeletal indicators.     

Integrating Growth Variability of the Ilium,Fifth Lumbar Vertebra,and Clavicle with Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines Models for Subadult Age Estimation

Subadult age estimation should rely on sampling and statistical protocols capturing development variability for more accurate age estimates. In this perspective, measurements were taken on the fifth lumbar vertebrae and/or clavicles of 534 French males and females aged 0–19 years and the ilia of 244 males and females aged 0–12 years. These variables were fitted in nonparametric multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) models with 95% prediction intervals (PIs) of age. The models were tested on two independent samples from Marseille and the Luis Lopes reference collection from Lisbon. Models using ilium width and module, maximum clavicle length, and lateral vertebral body heights were more than 92% accurate. Precision was lower for postpubertal individuals. Integrating punctual nonlinearities of the relationship between age and the variables and dynamic prediction intervals incorporated the normal increase in interindividual growth variability (heteroscedasticity of variance) with age for more biologically accurate predictions.     

Sex Determination by Discriminant Function Analysis of Lumbar Vertebrae

Sex determination is critical for developing the biological profile of unidentified skeletal remains. When more commonly used elements (os coxa, cranium) for sexing are not available, methods utilizing other skeletal elements are needed. This study aims to assess the degree of sexual dimorphism of the lumbar vertebrae and develop discriminant functions for sex determination from them, using a sample of South African blacks from the Raymond A. Dart Collection (47 males, 51 females). Eleven variables at each lumbar level were subjected to univariate and multivariate discriminant function analyses. Univariate equations produced classification rates ranging from 57.7% to 83.5%, with the highest accuracies associated with dimensions of the vertebral body. Multivariate stepwise analysis generated classification rates ranging from 75.9% to 88.7%. These results are comparable to other methods for sexing the skeleton and indicate that measures of the lumbar vertebrae can be used as an effective tool for sex determination.     

数字X线摄影测量活体脊柱胸段推算身高

目的建立人脊柱胸段长度推算身高的方法。方法应用数字X线摄影技术（DR）摄制514例中国四川汉族人群的胸部DR片，测其脊柱胸段长度，同时准确测量被研究者身高，对测量获得的脊柱胸段长度与身高数据分组进行线性回归分析，建立胸段长度推算身高的回归方程。结果建立了混合组、男性组、女性组、20—45岁男性组、大于45岁男性组、20～45岁女性组和大于45岁女性组7个回归方程，经显著性检验，均有统计学意义（P〈0．01），复相关系数（R）范围0．834～0．624，回归系数（b）范围0．259～0．389，回归方程估计值的标准误在3．88～4．72cm范围内。结论利用人类脊柱胸段长度推算身高的方法在法医学个人识别中具有重要价值。     

Using PMCT of Individuals of Known Age to Test the Suchey–Brooks Method of Aging in Victoria,Australia

The estimation of an individual's age at death plays a critical role in the investigation of unidentified human remains. The Suchey–Brooks method, which involves the analysis of degenerative morphological changes in the pubic symphysis, is currently widely used to estimate age in adults. This study tested the applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method on a contemporary adult Australian (Victorian) subpopulation by observing three‐dimensional volume‐rendered postmortem computed tomographic (PMCT) reconstructions of the pubic symphysis of 204 individuals aged 15–100 years. Results showed the method was reliable for females (85% correct allocations) but not for males (67% correct allocations). It is therefore recommended that extreme caution be used when applying the Suchey–Brooks method for estimating age at death of an individual in this subpopulation from PMCT images. The results suggest further investigation into alternate age estimation methods is required.     

中国汉族女性腰椎的身高推断

测量中国汉族女性腰椎,建立腰椎推断身高的方法。按人体骨骼测量方法,对第一至第五腰椎的10项指标进行测量,并将各腰椎的测量数据与身高进行相关分析,建立中国汉族女性腰椎推断身高的回归方程。获得的推断身高的5个回归方程,其相关系数(r)和标准差(s)分别为 r_1=0.751,s=45.0171;r_2=0.698,s=48.2804;r_3=0.758,s=43.3508;r_4=0.497,s=56.0890;r_5=0.606,s=53.3158。本研究建立的方法误差小,可以用于中国汉族女性腰椎的身高推断。     

四川汉族青少年肘关节数字X线影像骨龄特征研究

目的观测四川地区青少年肘关节数字X影像的骨发育特征规律,建立肘关节推断年龄的回归方程。方法拍摄608例8～18岁青少年进行肘关节数字X线片,按性别及年龄分组,选取肘关节6个骨化中心作为观测指标,对发育特征进行分级、赋值。采用SPSS 15.0统计软件对各观测值进行描述性统计学分析,建立推算年龄的回归方程。结果得出男女性青少年肘关节继发骨化中心出现、闭合的年龄范围、平均年龄以及95%置信区间等数据。一元回归方程的复相关系数(R)范围:男性0.874～0.914,女性0.883～0.954;年龄估计值标准误(SE)范围:男性0.934～1.101岁,女性0.561～0.883岁;多元回归方程R值及SE值:男性为0.946、0.750岁,女性为0.964、0.500岁。所有方程均经统计学检验与诊断,具有较好的适用性。结论本文选择的肘关节指标发育特征与年龄有相关性,其中肱骨内上髁、桡骨小头及肱骨小头骨骺均呈高度显著相关,建立的回归方程可用于相关人群年龄推断,且多元回归方程准确性更高。     

Mineralization of mandibular third molars can estimate chronological age--Brazilian indices

Forensic age estimation is an important element of anthropological research, as it produces one of the primary sources of data that researchers use to establish the identity of a person living or the identity of unknown bodily remains. The aim of this study was to determine if the chronology of third molar mineralization could be an accurate indicator of estimated age in a sample Brazilian population. If so, mineralization could determine the probability of an individual being 18 years or older. The study evaluated 407 panoramic radiographs of males and females from the past 5 years in order to assess the mineralization status of the mandibular third molars. The evaluation was carried out using an adaptation of Demirjian's system. The results indicated a strong correlation between chronological age and the mineralization of the mandibular third molars. The results indicated that modern Brazilian generation tends to demonstrate an earlier mandibular third molar mineralization than older Brazilian generation and people of other nationalities. Males reached developmental stages slightly earlier than females, but statistically significant differences between the sex were not found. The probability that an individual with third molar mineralization stage H had reached an age of 18 years or older was 96.8-98.6% for males and females, respectively.     

A re-examination of cremains weight: sex and age variation in a Northern California sample

The reduction of modern commercially cremated remains into a fine powder negates the use of traditional methods of skeletal analysis. The literature on the use of cremains weight for estimating aspects of the biologic profile is limited, often with conflicting results. This study re-evaluates the value of weight in the assessment of biologic parameters from modern cremated remains. A sample of adults was collected in northern California (n = 756), with a cremains weight averaging 2737.1 g. Males were significantly heavier than females (mean = 3233.2 g versus mean = 2238.3 g, respectively; p<0.001). Comparison of this sample with other previously reported samples from southern California, Florida, and Tennessee indicates a consistent sex difference, with the most similar mean values to the Tennessee study. Although cremains weight decreases with age as expected, the relationship is weak; thus, cremains weight cannot accurately predict age-at-death. While sex estimation shows considerable accuracy (86.3% for males and 80.9% for females), sectioning points may be population specific.     

Stature estimation from radiographically determined long bone length in a Spanish population sample

The estimation of stature from of a variety of bones is an important aspect of forensic work. In order to obtain reliable results, it is important to have comparative data obtained from the same population group as the skeletal remains. However, lack of up to date information on the population groups of Southern Europe makes the estimation of stature from bones in this area subject to possible error. In this study, the stature of 104 healthy adults from Spain was measured, and an anteroposterior teleradiograph of the right lower and the right upper limb of every subject in the study was made in order to measure the lengths of the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, cubitus and ulna. Pearson's regression formulae were obtained for both limbs. In males, we found the femur to be the most accurate predictor of stature (R = 0.851), whereas in females best results were obtained with the tibia (R = 0.876).     

Can Cephalometrics Discriminate Between the Sexes in a Diverse Juvenile Sample?

A critical component of the biological profile is sex estimation. Methods commonly used for sex estimation in adults do not work well for juveniles. Population‐specific studies have used cephalometrics to estimate juvenile sex with 80–90% accuracy. Our study attempts to estimate sex in individuals less than 18 years of age using a sample of 1618 lateral cephalograms incorporating all three Angle Class occlusions as well as population diversity. For the sample as a whole, 10 skeletal cephalometrics were found to have significant differences between the sexes. Males and females classify correctly about 50% of the time. Dividing the sample by age groups and race/ethnicity improves results for older age groups and Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. Our results indicate that cephalometrics are not useful in determining sex of unidentified juveniles when age and race are not known.     

Estimating sex of the human skeleton based on metrics of the sternum

Estimating the sex of skeletal remains is critical in creating the biological profile of an adult individual. Previous research has shown that analyzing the sternum may lead to an accurate estimation of sex based on studies performed on various populations around the globe, such as Indian, European, African, Canadian and North American. The motivation of the current study is to develop classification functions and sectioning points for use in forensic investigations in the United States. The majority of previously published methods are population specific, meaning the data would not prove useful in the United States. For this study, sternal measurements were collected from the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection located at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville following the metric definitions provided by Schwartz and Bass. This collection consists of recent skeletal remains with known age at death, ancestry and sex. Material for the present study consisted of 410 human sterna: 285 male (256 American White/29 American Black) and 125 female (120 American White/5 American Black). Previous studies analyze the applicability of Hyrtl's law in the estimation of sex. This law follows that the mesosternum is greater than twice the length of the manubrium in males and in females the length of the manubrium is greater than half the length of the mesosternum. In this study, comparisons of the proportion of the length of the manubrium to the length of the mesosternum were performed to determine if Hrytl's law is applicable in an American population. Comparisons of these measurements between individuals identified as American Black and American White were analyzed to determine whether this method could be used on both population groups. Further, discriminant function analysis was used to estimate sex and provide a population specific classification function for use in the United States. The discriminate function analysis produced an overall cross-validation classification rate of 84.12% for sex estimation. The cross-validation classification rate for males and females was 80.00% and 88.24%, respectively.     

腰椎的个体识别

腰椎是人体躯干骨中的主要承重骨,其形态受多种因素影响。腰椎的研究对白骨、碎尸等类型案件尸源的寻找和古人类的体征复原均有重要意义。本文着重从身高推算、性别判定和年龄判定三个方面综述了近年来腰椎在法医人类学领域的研究进展。     

Auricular surface aging: a blind test of the revised method on historic Italians from Sardinia

Age determination from human skeletal remains is an important biological parameter in both forensic and bioarchaeological contexts. This study presents the results of a blind test of the revised auricular surface age estimation method proposed by Buckberry and Chamberlain (Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 119 (2002) 321-329) on a large sample (n=404) of known sex and age from the Sassari collection, housed at the Museum of Anthropology, University of Bologna, Italy. Ilia were scored for five features: transverse organization, surface texture, microporosity, macroporosity, and apical changes, which combined for a composite score. The results indicated that all features and the composite score were positively correlated with known age. Composite scores were significantly different between the sexes, suggesting that males and females should be treated separately. Bias and inaccuracy varied across age intervals. Age tended to be overestimated in individuals under age 59 and underestimated for those over age 60 years. However, the revised method showed improvement over the original auricular surface method (Lovejoy et al., Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 68 (1985) 15-28), especially for aging older individuals. Considerable variation exists in the age ranges derived from composite scores and few significant differences were found between age stages, suggesting that fewer stages with wider age ranges may be necessary. The independent, quantitative scoring of the surface features makes the revised method substantially easier to apply and the method shows significant improvement for aging older individuals.     

应用膝关节MRI T_2加权脂肪抑制像推断活体年龄

目的探索膝关节MRI T2加权脂肪抑制像(T2-FS)在法医年龄推断中的应用价值,建立安全可靠的四川汉族年龄推断方法。方法收集膝关节MRI 324例(男性170例,女性154例),年龄范围为10~30岁。采用西门子1.5T磁共振仪摄片,MRI参数:T2-FS TSE序列,矢状位。将股骨远端、胫骨近端骨骺发育分为6个等级并赋分,分析各指标性别差异及年龄相关性,建立年龄推断回归模型。结果男女性股骨远端、胫骨近端MRI等级与年龄呈正相关性,股骨远端与年龄的相关性男性0.687,女性0.661;胫骨近端与年龄的相关性男性0.684,女性0.488。股骨远端骨骺完全闭合,骺线消失的最小年龄男性18.42岁,女性19.36岁;胫骨近端男性骺线消失的最小年龄为16.93岁,女性为14.68岁。股骨远端等级1~3、5、6和胫骨近端等级1~3、5年龄分布性别差异不显著。分别建立男女年龄推断模型,男性年龄推断平均绝对误差(MAD)=2.90岁;女性年龄推断MAD=3.30岁。结论膝关节MRI T2-FS影像可作为活体年龄推断的指标之一,股骨远端等级6可作为判断18岁的指标之一。     

Sex assessment from the carpals bones: discriminant function analysis in a 20th century Spanish sample

Sex assessment is one of the first essential steps in human identification, in both medico-legal cases and bio-archaeological contexts. Fragmentary human remains compromised by different types of inhumation or physical insults may frustrate the use of the traditional sex estimation methods, such as the analysis of the skull and pelvis. Currently, the application of discriminant functions to sex unidentified skeletal remains is steadily increasing. However, several studies have demonstrated that, due to variation in size and patterns of sexual dimorphism, discriminant function equations are population-specific [1,2,5,12,61]. In this study, in order to improve sex assessment from skeletal remains and to establish population-specific discriminant functions, the diagnostic values of the carpal bones were considered. A sample of 100 individuals (50 males and 50 females) of known sex and age was analyzed. They belong to a 20th century identified collection from the Municipal Cemetery of "San José", Granada (Spain) and housed in the Laboratory of Anthropology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada (Spain). The age of the individuals ranged between 22 and 85 years. Between four and nine measurements of each carpal bone were performed [41,59]. Discriminant function statistics showed a sex assessment accuracy as high as 97.8%. The results suggest that carpal bones can be used for assessing sex in both forensic and bio-archaeological identification procedures.