Bidimensional Data Allow for Better Age Estimation on Immature Specimens than Unidimensional Data: A Preliminary Study on the Ilium |
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| Authors: | Mathilde Daumas M.Sc. Kathia Chaumoître M.D. Ph.D. Pascal Adalian Ph.D. François Marchal Ph.D. |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Forensic Anthropology Unit, Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis [LABO], Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Campus Erasme CP 629, Lennik Street 808, B 1070 Brussels, Belgium;2. Additional information and reprint requests:;3. Mathilde Daumas, M.Sc.;4. Forensic Anthropology Unit;5. Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis [LABO];6. Faculty of Medicine;7. Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.);8. Campus Erasme CP 629;9. Lennik Street 808;10. B 1070 Brussels;11. Belgium;12. E‐mails:;13. UMR 7268 ADES, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Université d'Aix‐Marseille/EFS/CNRS, 51 Bd Pierre Dramard, 13344 Marseille Cedex 15, France;14. Service Radiologie et Imagerie Médicale, H?pital Nord, CHU Marseille, Chemin des Bourrely, 13915 Marseille Cedex 20, France |
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| Abstract: | Most biometric age estimation methods used in anthropological and forensic science for juveniles are based on unidimensional measurements (length or width). Here, a new method using bidimensional data was tested. A 3D morphometric analysis was performed on 108 CT scans of ilium bone of juveniles (from 20 gestational weeks to 12 years old). The sample was divided into training and validation groups. Best predictors were determined by comparing the efficiency of each variable (length, width, area, and module: a product of length and width). We established linear and polynomial regressions for each parameter for both sides. Applying the equations to the validation sample showed no significant difference between real and predicted ages. For age estimation, the area and module parameters yielded better results than unidimensional measurements. The results from this preliminary study were highly conclusive, and it would be interesting to extend the work, covering larger samples, and other bones. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic anthropology age estimation juvenile ilium methodology |
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