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Cited by 8Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesForensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesAutopsy Techniques and Outcomes

Age-at-death estimation based on micro-CT assessment of pubic symphysis: Potentially new methodological approach

Jadzic, Jelena, Mijucic, Jovana, Bracanovic, Djurdja, Nikolic, Slobodan, Bracanovic, Milos, Djuric, Marija, Djonic, Danijela·2023·Forensic Science International
DOI 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111851
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Abstract

Background Although various methods for age-at-death estimation of skeletal remains are available, this is still an unsolved issue in forensic anthropology, especially concerning elderly individuals. Moreover, the lack of population-specific methods often made age-at-death estimation unreliable in other populations. Aim Our study aimed to examine whether micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis of pubic bone samples obtained from the contemporary Serbian population could be used in anthropological and forensic practice for age-at-death estimation. Methodology This study encompassed 62 pubic samples obtained from 26 adult male and 36 adult female cadaveric donors (age range: 22-91 years). Initially, staging according to the Suchey-Brooks phases was performed by two experienced investigators, followed by micro-CT assessment of pubic bone trabecular and cortical compartments (spatial resolution of the scans was 10 µm). Results Our results revealed an age-associated decline in trabecular and cortical micro-architecture of elderly male and female individuals, with the most prominent changes present in trabecular bone volume fraction and total porosity of the anterior and posterior cortical surface of the pubic bone. Those parameters were used to generate age-at-death estimation equations. One sample t-test did not reveal a significant difference between estimated age-at-death and real (known) age-at-death in the overall sample (mean absolute error [MAE] of 4.76 years), female (MAE of 9.66 years) and male cadaveric donors (MAE of 6.10 years, p > 0.05). Conclusion Our data indicated that micro-architectural features of trabecular and cortical compartments of pubic bone could potentially be applied as an additional reliable method for age-at-death estimation in the Serbian population.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Vodanović, 2011, Age estimation in archaeological skeletal remains: evaluation of four non-destructive age calculation methods, J. Forensic Odontostomatol., 29, 14
  2. Wade, 2011, Preliminary radiological assessment of age- related change in the trabecular structure of the human Os pubis, J. Forensic Sci., 56, 312, 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01643.x · DOI

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Authors
Jadzic, J., Mijucic, J., Bracanovic, D., Nikolic, S., Bracanovic, M., Djuric, M., & Djonic, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Belgrade (RS)
  • Univerzitetski Klinički Centar Srbije (RS)
ORCID
Venue
Forensic Science International
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-11
Volume
352
Pages
111851
ISSN
0379-0738 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111851
OpenAlex
W4387247777
Cited by
8
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1
FWCI
8.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Forensic Science International (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
Keywords
age at death estimation, pubic symphysis, micro-computed tomography, trabecular bone microarchitecture, cortical porosity, older adults, Serbian population, forensic anthropology, bone microarchitecture
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Determination by Skeleton, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cadaver, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pubic Symphysis, Forensic Anthropology, X-Ray Microtomography, Young Adult

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