Age estimation of the auricular surface of the ilium : a comparison between physical examination and photographic evidence

Abstract

The critical development of an age at death estimation for an individual in forensic anthropology is usually estimated directly from physical skeletal remains, but in certain circumstances it may be pertinent to utilise photographic evidence. Unfortunately, the validity of currently established age estimation methods for use on photographic evidence has not been satisfactorily examined. The aim of this study was to test three age estimation methods using photographs of the auricular surface of the ilium. The three methods: Lovejoy, Meindl, Pryzbeck & Mensforth (1985), Buckberry & Chamberlain (2002) and Osborne, Simmons & Nawrocki (2004); were tested on photographs of the auricular surface of the ilium housed in the Raymond A. Dart Collection. The Lovejoy et. al. (1985) method was the least accurate for photographic age estimation despite the sex or population affinity of the individual, with 20 out of 429 individuals (5%) correctly estimated. Meanwhile, both the Buckberry & Chamberlain (2002) and Osborne, Simmons & Nawrocki (2004) methods correctly estimated a much larger group of individuals, respectively estimating 351and 341 individuals (~80%) correctly regardless of sex or population affinity. It was concluded that the Lovejoy et al. (1985) method may not suitable for photographic evidence, while the Buckberry & Chamberlain (2002) and Osborne, Simmons & Nawrocki (2004) methods have the potential to be valid age estimation methods for photographic evidence. Therefore, it is possible that the Buckberry & Chamberlain (2002) and Osborne, Simmons & Nawrocki (2004) methods may be able to form the basis of a digital system of skeletal remains for comparative age estimation purposes. The validation of age estimation methods using photographic evidence provides the opportunity for remote forensic anthropological age estimations for academic and medico-legal purposes.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English