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Using PMCT of Individuals of Known Age to Test the Suchey–Brooks Method of Aging in Victoria,Australia |
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| Authors: | Felicity Hall B.Sc. Shari Forbes Ph.D. Samantha Rowbotham Ph.D. Soren Blau Ph.D. |
| Affiliation: | 1. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1382-1257;2. Faculty of Science, Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Ultimo, 2007 New South Wales, AustraliaCorresponding Author: Felicity Hall, B.Sc. E‐mail:;3. Département de Chimie, Biochimie et Physique, Université du Québec à Trois‐Rivières, Boulevard des Forges, G8Z 4M3 Trois‐Rivières, Québec, Canada;4. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine/Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Kavanagh St, Southbank, Victoria, Australia |
| Abstract: | 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. |
| Keywords: | forensic science forensic anthropology pubic symphysis age estimation biological profile interobserver agreement |