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Cited by 0Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesForensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesForensic and Genetic Research

Three methods of estimating age‐at‐death using three different regions on the os coxa

Open access
Mkhonza, Sthembiso S., Ngubane, Ntombifuthi P., Aladeyelu, Okikioluwa S., Rennie, Carmen O.·2026·Journal of Forensic Sciences
DOI 10.1111/1556-4029.70219PMC PMC12967744
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Abstract

Understanding population diversity is necessary for the development of forensic anthropology methods that address population affinity. The commonly used age‐at‐death estimation methods for adult skeletal remains are based on American data sets, which include individuals with both European and African population affinities. Evaluating these methods on different skeletal collections worldwide is hampered by our incomplete understanding of population diversity. Hence, this study evaluated three methods of estimating age‐at‐death using the pubic symphyseal surface, auricular surface, and acetabulum regions on the os coxa. A total sample size of 143 os coxae from Black South African and White South African population groups was examined in KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN). The accuracy (chi‐squared test of independence), bias, absolute error (mean absolute error, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test), interobserver, and intraobserver correlation coefficients (Cronbach's alpha test) were recorded for each method. The auricular surface method scored the highest accuracy; however, the reliability of this method is still questionable, as it also scored the highest absolute error and bias among the three methods on both population groups. Compared to the pubic symphyseal surface and auricular surface methods, the acetabulum method showed promise, as it maintained lower bias and absolute error and was consistent when re‐evaluated in both populations. Laterality was insignificant for any of the three methods. Sex was insignificant for the acetabulum and auricular surface methods, but significant for the pubic symphyseal surface method in the White South African samples and insignificant in Black South African samples. These results demonstrated the need for creating population‐specific standards, including precisely defined age ranges and reference samples catered to the diverse South African populations.

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study tested three os coxa age-at-death methods—Suchey-Brooks pubic symphysis, Osborne auricular surface, and Calce acetabulum—on 143 Black and White South African os coxae from KwaZulu-Natal. The auricular surface was most accurate but had the highest bias and absolute error, while the acetabulum showed lower bias/error and better repeatability, leading the authors to prefer it for these South African groups.

Key findings

  • Accuracy was highest for the auricular surface in both groups: Black South African sample 81.5% (auricular), 78.3% (pubic symphysis), 76.1% (acetabulum); White South African sample 72.5% (auricular), 68.6% (acetabulum), 64.7% (pubic symphysis).
  • Bias and absolute error differed by method: in Black South Africans, pubic symphysis bias −1.36 years, absolute error 13.17 years; acetabulum bias 1.90 years, absolute error 13.15 years; auricular surface bias 5.98 years, absolute error 21.05 years. In White South Africans, all three underestimated age: pubic symphysis bias −11.00 years, absolute error 14.51 years; auricular surface bias −11.39 years, absolute error 16.65 years; acetabulum bias −9.06 years, absolute error 12.63 years.
  • The acetabulum had the highest intraobserver correlation coefficients (0.814 Black South African, 0.879 White South African) and interobserver coefficients (0.862 Black South African, 0.573 White South African); the pubic symphysis in White South Africans had the lowest intraobserver correlation (0.266).
  • Laterality was not statistically significant for any method. Sex was not significant for the auricular surface or acetabulum, but was significant for the pubic symphysis in White South Africans (p = 0.001) and not in Black South Africans.

Methods

  • A blind test examined 143 os coxae from Black South African (n = 92) and White South African (n = 51) individuals aged 18–100 years, sourced from University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban University of Technology collections in KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Three methods were applied separately: Brooks and Suchey pubic symphyseal surface, Osborne et al. auricular surface, and Calce acetabulum, using each method’s published phases and age ranges.
  • Accuracy was assessed by whether known age fell within the method’s age range; bias and mean absolute error used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests; paired t-tests assessed sex and laterality; Cronbach’s alpha assessed intraobserver (30% of sample re-evaluated three times) and interobserver (15% re-evaluated by an independent observer) reliability.

Limitations

  • The authors state that population-specific standards are needed, that broad age ranges in the auricular surface and pubic symphysis methods may inflate accuracy while increasing bias/absolute error, and that the acetabulum method requires large, same-region samples and undamaged acetabula.
  • The text makes evident that the two population samples differ markedly in age distribution—White South Africans skew older (many 71–100 years) while Black South Africans skew middle-aged (mostly 31–60 years)—which may confound cross-population accuracy comparisons.
  • Sample sizes by sex and laterality are uneven (e.g., Black South African males n = 58 vs females n = 34; White South African left n = 30 vs right n = 21), which may affect subgroup reliability estimates.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/1556-4029.70219

Cites

45 of 45 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 26 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The acetabulum method had the highest interobserver correlation coefficients among the three methods, with 0.862 in the Black South African population and 0.573 in the White South African population.

    “The acetabulum method outperformed the other two methods, with the highest interobserver correlation of 0.573 in the White South African population and 0.862 in the Black South African population (Table 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    Laterality was insignificant for any of the three methods.

    “Laterality was insignificant for any of the three methods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
  • Findingown data

    In the Black South African population, under the Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method, the age range of 18-20 years had the highest inaccuracy of 100%.

    “In the Black South African population, under the Suchey‐Brooks (pubic symphyseal surface) method, the age range of 18–20 years had the highest inaccuracy of 100%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
  • Findingown data

    The pubic symphyseal surface and auricular surface methods had poor interobserver reliability for both population groups.

    “For the pubic symphyseal surface and auricular surface, methods were found to be poor for both population groups.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In the Black South African population, under the Calce acetabulum method, the age range of 61-70 years had the highest inaccuracy of 75.0%.

    “The age range of 61–70 years had the highest inaccuracy of 75.0%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
  • May combine two claims. 45
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 15
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the White South African sample, the auricular surface method had the highest accuracy of 72.5%, followed by the acetabulum method with 68.6%, and the pubic symphyseal surface method with 64.7%.

    “The auricular surface method scored the highest accuracy of 72.5% when applied to the White South African sample, followed by the acetabulum method with 68.6%, while the pubic symphyseal surface method had the least accuracy of 64.7%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African population, the Calce acetabulum method showed good performance between the age ranges of 21-30 years and 41-50 years with an accuracy of 100%, and the highest inaccuracy was in the age range of 91-100 years at 50%.

    “In the White South African population, the acetabulum method showed good performance between the age ranges of 21–30 years and 41–50 years, with an accuracy of 100%. Then, the highest inaccuracy was seen in the age range of 91–100 years, 50% (Figure 3B).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the White South African sample, the auricular surface method had accuracy of 70.4% in females and 75.0% in males; the acetabulum method scored 63.0% in females and 75.0% in males; and the pubic symphyseal surface method had 88.9% in females and 37.5% in males.

    “The auricular surface method had an accuracy of 70.4% in females and 75.0% in males, the acetabulum method scored 63.0% in females and 75.0% in males, and the pubic symphyseal surface method in females, 88.9% and in males, 37.5%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Black South African population, under the Osborne auricular surface method, the age range that scored 100% for accuracy was 31-40 years, followed by 21-30 years with 90% accuracy.

    “The age range that scored 100% for accuracy was 31–40 years, with all os coxae estimated correctly, followed by a 90% accuracy of 21–30 years (Figure 2A).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the Black South African sample, the auricular surface method had accuracy of 88.2% in females and 77.6% in males; the pubic symphyseal surface method had 82.4% in females and 75.9% in males; and the acetabulum method had 73.5% in females and 77.6% in males.

    “The auricular surface method had accurately estimated age‐at‐death in females with 88.2% and in males with 77.6%; the pubic symphyseal surface method had 82.4% in females and 75.9% accuracy in males, and the acetabulum method had 73.5% in females and 77.6% accuracy in males.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African population, the Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method performed best between the age range of 21 and 40 years with an accuracy of 100% and performed poorly between the age range of 61 and 70 with an accuracy of 0%.

    “In the White South African population, this method performed the best between the age range of 21 and 40 years, with an accuracy of 100% and performed poorly between the age range of 61 and 70, with an accuracy of 0% (Figure 1B).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the Black South African sample, there were no cases where any of the three methods performed better on the left side than on the right side; instead, these methods performed better on the right side or were the same between left and right in terms of accuracy.

    “For the Black South African sample, there were no cases where any of these methods performed better on the left side of the os coxa than on the right side; instead, these methods performed better when applied on the right side or were the same between the left and right sides in terms of accuracy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the White South African sample, the pubic symphyseal surface method performed better in females than in males, and the auricular surface and acetabulum methods performed better in males than in females.

    “When the results were analyzed in terms of sex, the pubic symphyseal surface method performed better in females than in males, and the auricular surface and acetabulum methods performed better in males than in females.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the Black South African sample, the auricular surface and pubic symphyseal surface methods performed better in females than in males, and the acetabulum method performed better in males than in females.

    “When the results were analyzed in terms of sex for the Black South African sample, the auricular surface and pubic symphyseal surface methods performed better in females than in males, and the acetabulum method performed better in males than in females.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Compared to the pubic symphyseal surface and auricular surface methods, the acetabulum method maintained lower bias and absolute error and was consistent when re-evaluated in both populations.

    “Compared to the pubic symphyseal surface and auricular surface methods, the acetabulum method showed promise, as it maintained lower bias and absolute error and was consistent when re‐evaluated in both populations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The os coxae in the UKZN and DUT collections are representative of Black South African and White South African populations in KwaZulu-Natal.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Black South African population, under the Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method, the age range with the highest accuracy of 100% was 21-30 years, followed by 31-40 years with 95.7%.

    “The age range with the highest accuracy of 100% was 21–30 years and was followed by 31–40 years, with 95.7% (Figure 1A).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the White South African sample, there was no significant difference in accuracy between males and females for the auricular surface and acetabulum methods (p-values > 0.05), but statistical significance was noted for the pubic symphyseal surface method (p = 0.001).

    “There was no significant difference in accuracy between males and females for the auricular surface and acetabulum methods (p‐values > 0.05). Statistical significance was noted between males and females for the pubic symphyseal surface method (p = 0.001) (Table 7).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African population, under the Osborne auricular surface method, the age ranges of 21-40 years and 51-60 years had the highest accuracy of 100% and 100%, and the age range of 81-90 years had the highest inaccuracy of 38.46%.

    “In the White South African population, the age range of 21–40 years and 51–60 years had the highest accuracy of 100% and 100%. The age range of 81–90 years had the highest inaccuracy of 38.46% (Figure 2B).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the Black South African sample, the auricular surface method had the highest accuracy of 81.5%, followed by the pubic symphyseal surface method with 78.3% and the acetabulum method with 76.1%.

    “For the Black South African sample, the auricular surface method performed the best with the highest accuracy of 81.5%, followed by the pubic symphyseal surface method with 78.3% and lastly, the acetabulum method with 76.1% accuracy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the Black South African sample, the pubic symphyseal surface method had 79.5% accuracy on the right side and 77.1% on the left; the auricular surface method had 84.1% on the right and 79.2% on the left; and the acetabulum method had 81.8% on the right and 70.8% on the left.

    “For both males and females, the pubic symphyseal surface method performed better on the right side with 79.5% accuracy and 77.1% on the left side, the auricular surface method showed 84.1% accuracy on the right side and 79.2% on the left side, and last, the acetabulum method had 81.8% on the right side and 70.8% left side (Table 8).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Black South African population, under the Calce acetabulum method, the age ranges of 21-30 years and 71-80 years had the highest accuracy of 100%, followed by 31-40 years with 95.7%.

    “There were two age ranges with the highest accuracy of 100%, 21–30 years and 71–80 years. They were then followed by the age range of 31–40, with an accuracy of 95.7% (Figure 3A).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the pubic symphyseal surface method had an accuracy of 61.9% on the right and 66.7% on the left os coxa.

    “The pubic symphyseal surface method had an accuracy of 61.9% on the right and 66.7% on the left os coxa”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The acetabulum method had higher repeatability values and was the most reliable in terms of consistency for repeatability of the results compared to the auricular surface and pubic symphyseal surface methods in both population groups.

    “The acetabulum method had higher repeatability values than the auricular surface and pubic symphyseal surface methods in both population groups”
    • Also stated in: § CONCLUSION · hedged
      “Furthermore, the acetabulum method also tended to be the most reliable in terms of consistency for repeatability of the results when evaluated in both population groups.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).
    • Rests on an assumption: The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The current study results support the above author as the intraobserver repeatability values were slightly higher than the interobserver repeatability values.

    “The current study results support the above author as the intraobserver repeatability values were slightly higher than the interobserver repeatability values.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the acetabulum method had an accuracy of 76.2% on the right and 63.3% on the left os coxa.

    “the acetabulum method had 76.2% on the right and 63.3% accuracy on the left os coxa”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the acetabulum method underestimated age by 9.06 years and had an absolute error of 12.63 years.

    “the acetabulum method had a value of 9.06 years and an absolute error of 12.63 years (Table 11).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    There was no statistical significance in the performance accuracy between sexes for both Black South African and White South African samples; sex was insignificant when the auricular surface and acetabulum methods were employed.

    “The results from the current study support the abovementioned authors as there was no statistical significance in the performance accuracy between sexes for both Black South African and White South African samples.”
    • Also stated in: § CONCLUSION · plain
      “Sex was insignificant when the auricular surface and acetabulum methods were employed”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).
    • Rests on an assumption: The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the auricular surface and acetabulum methods performed better on the right os coxa than on the left, while the pubic symphyseal surface method performed better on the left than on the right.

    “The accuracy in terms of laterality in the White South African sample demonstrated that the auricular surface and acetabulum methods performed better on the right os coxa than on the left, and vice versa for the pubic symphyseal surface method.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the auricular surface method had an accuracy of 76.2% on the right and 70.0% on the left os coxa.

    “the auricular surface method had 76.2% on the right and 70.0% on the left os coxa”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Sex was insignificant for the acetabulum and auricular surface methods, but significant for the pubic symphyseal surface method in the White South African samples and insignificant in Black South African samples.

    “Sex was insignificant for the acetabulum and auricular surface methods, but significant for the pubic symphyseal surface method in the White South African samples and insignificant in Black South African samples.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.
    • Rests on an assumption: The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the pubic symphyseal surface method underestimated age by 11 years and had an absolute error of 14.51 years.

    “All three methods in the White South African sample underestimated age, with 11 years for the pubic symphyseal surface method and an absolute error of 14.51 years.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Black South African sample, the pubic symphyseal surface method underestimated age by 1.36 years and had an absolute error of 13.70 years.

    “The pubic symphyseal surface method underestimated age by 1.36 years and had an absolute error of 13.70 years”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the White South African sample, the auricular surface method underestimated age by 11.39 years and had an absolute error of 16.65 years.

    “The auricular surface approach had an underestimation value of 11.39 years and an absolute error of 16.65 years”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Black South African sample, the acetabulum method overestimated age by 1.90 years and had an absolute error of 13.15 years.

    “the acetabulum method overestimated age by 1.90 years and had an absolute error of 13.15 years”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When results were broken down into age groups, all three os coxa age-at-death estimation methods performed better in terms of accuracy from the age of 21-40 years, as all their accuracies were above 60% in both population groups.

    “When the results were broken down into age groups, all three os coxa age‐at‐death estimation methods were performing better in terms of accuracy from the age of 21–40 years, as all their accuracies were above 60% in both population groups.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).
    • Rests on an assumption: The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Based on current study findings for the Black South African sample, the auricular surface method yielded the highest accuracy, followed by the pubic symphyseal surface method, and the acetabulum method had the least accuracy.

    “Based on the current study findings for the Black South African sample, the auricular surface method yielded the highest accuracy, followed by the pubic symphyseal surface method, and the acetabulum method had the least accuracy.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).
    • Rests on an assumption: The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the Black South African sample, the auricular surface method overestimated age by 5.98 years and had an absolute error of 21.05 years.

    “the auricular surface method overestimated age by 5.98 years and had an absolute error of 21.05 years for the Black South African sample”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For the pubic symphyseal surface method on the White South African sample, the p-value is less than 0.05, indicating that the performance of this method differs significantly between males and females.

    “The current study supports the previous literature, as the p‐value is less than 0.05 for the pubic symphyseal surface method on the White South African sample, indicating that the performance of this method differs significantly between males and females.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).
    • Rests on an assumption: The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    On the White South African sample, the auricular surface method had the highest accuracy, followed by the acetabulum method, and the pubic symphyseal surface method had the least accuracy.

    “On the White South African sample, the auricular surface method had the highest accuracy, followed by the acetabulum method, and the pubic symphyseal surface method had the least accuracy [6] (Table 12).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).
    • Rests on an assumption: The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    A blind test was conducted in which chronological age-at-death, sex, and population group information of each os coxa were made unknown until the end of data collection.

    “To avoid bias of the results, mimic the chronological ages of the sample, A blind test was conducted to examine the three age‐at‐death estimation methods where the chronological age‐at‐death, sex, and population group information of each os coxa were made unknown until the end of data collection”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    For each population, 30% of the sample was randomly selected and reassessed three times by the principal investigator to determine intraobserver error.

    “For each population, random selection of 30% of the sample was reassessed three times by the principal investigator.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    It is uncertain if the Rissech acetabulum procedure can be applied to females because it was created using an exclusively male skeleton sample.

    “It is uncertain if the procedure can be applied to females because it was created using a skeleton sample that was (exclusively) male [4].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Rissech C, Estabrook GF, Cunha E, Malgosa A. Using the acetabulum to estimate age at death of adult males. J Forensic Sci. 2006; 51(2): 213– 229. 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00060 16566753 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Calce and Rogers reduced the number of acetabular variables from seven to three and distinguished three age stages (young adults, middle adults, old adults) using three observable features: apical growth, osteophyte development of the acetabular rim, and acetabular groove.

    “To streamline the acetabulum approach, they first reduced the number of variables from seven to three, along with the descriptions for both males and females' os coxae. Young adults, middle adults, and old adults were the three age stages that were distinguished by the three observable features (apical growth, osteophyte development of the acetabular rim, and acetabular groove) [22].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] Calce SE. A new method to estimate adult age‐at‐death using the acetabulum. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2012; 148(1): 11– 23. 10.1002/ajpa.22026 22331613

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Rissech's acetabulum method showed a strong correlation between observable variables and age, less bias, and minimal intra- and interobserver error because of the standardized numerical scoring procedure.

    “Rissech's [4] method showed a strong correlation between observable variables and age, less bias, as well as minimal intra‐ and interobserver error because of the standardized numerical scoring procedure [4].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Rissech C, Estabrook GF, Cunha E, Malgosa A. Using the acetabulum to estimate age at death of adult males. J Forensic Sci. 2006; 51(2): 213– 229. 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00060 16566753 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Sex differences were deemed insignificant for auricular surface and acetabulum methods by Buckberry and Chamberlain and Rissech and Malgosa, while the pubic symphyseal surface method had distinct age ranges between males and females.

    “Although sex differences were deemed insignificant for auricular surface and acetabulum methods by Buckberry and Chamberlain [15] and Rissech and Malgosa [30], the pubic symphyseal surface method had distinct age ranges between males and females [13] (Table 3).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [15] Buckberry JL, Chamberlain AT. Age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: a revised method. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2002; 119(3): 231– 239. 10.1002/ajpa.10130 12365035 source
    • cites [30] Rissech C, Malgosa A. Ilium growth study: applicability in sex and age diagnosis. Forensic Sci Int. 2005; 147(2–3): 165– 174. 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.08.007 15567622 source
    • cites [13] Brooks S, Suchey JM. Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: a comparison of the Acsádi‐Nemeskéri and Suchey‐Brooks methods. Hum Evol. 1990; 5: 227– 238. 10.1007/BF02437238 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The age estimates for a target sample produced by transition analysis are influenced by the population from which the transition analysis parameters were derived.

    “It was also indicated that the age estimates for the target sample that were produced were influenced by the population from which the transition analysis parameters were derived.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Godde K, Hens SM. Age‐at‐death estimation in an Italian historical sample: a test of the Suchey‐Brooks and transition analysis methods. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2012; 149(2): 259– 265. 10.1002/ajpa.22126 22886637 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The validity of the Suchey-Brooks and Buckberry-Chamberlain approaches was investigated by Villa using 3D representations from CT and laser images, concluding that although modern imaging technology can improve these methods, direct viewing of dry bones now yields the most accurate results.

    “The validity of the Suchey‐Brooks and Buckberry‐Chamberlain approaches was investigated by Villa [29] using 3D representations from computed tomography (CT) and laser images, and concluded that although modern imaging technology can improve these methods, direct viewing of dry bones now yields the most accurate results [29].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [29] Villa C, Lynnerup N. Age estimation of skeletal remains: principal methods. Res Report Forensic Med Sci. 2014; 4: 3– 9. 10.2147/RRFMS.S35660 source

      Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The os coxa is a good landmark for estimating age-at-death because it has three age indicators whose bony changes correlate with advancing age: the pubic symphyseal surface, auricular surface, and acetabulum.

    “The os coxa is a good landmark for estimating age‐at‐death because it has three age indicators, where bony changes correlate with the advancing age: viz. the pubic symphyseal surface, auricular surface, and the acetabulum [6].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Miranker MA. Comparison of different age estimation methods of the adult pelvis. J Forensic Sci. 2016; 61(5): 1173– 1179. 10.1111/1556-4029.13130 27346631

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    While the pubic symphysis undergoes age-progressive morphological changes, various populations experience these changes on different timelines and along distinct trajectories, which might affect the final age-at-death estimation.

    “This means that while the pubic symphysis undergoes age‐progressive morphological changes, various populations experience these changes on different timelines and along distinct trajectories, which might affect the final age‐at‐death estimation [24].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Godde K, Hens SM. Age‐at‐death estimation in an Italian historical sample: a test of the Suchey‐Brooks and transition analysis methods. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2012; 149(2): 259– 265. 10.1002/ajpa.22126 22886637 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    For each population, 15% of the sample was reevaluated by an independent observer to determine interobserver error.

    “Then again, for each population, 15% of the sample was reevaluated by an independent observer (a senior researcher in the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy), where this evaluation was compared with the first evaluation by the principal investigator using the Cronbach's alpha test to get the interobserver error correlation coefficient”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The use of acetabulum alterations as skeletal age markers has been questioned because the hip is a joint that experiences changes due to possibly nonage-related stresses such as differential mechanical loading, osteoarthritis, and dysplasia.

    “The use of acetabulum alterations as skeletal age markers has been questioned since the hip is a joint that experiences changes because of possibly nonage‐related stresses such as differential mechanical loading, osteoarthritis, and dysplasia [17].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Rougé‐Maillart C, Telmon N, Rougé D, Rissech C, Malgosa A. The determination of male adult age at death by central and posterior coxal analysis—a preliminary study. J Forensic Sci. 2004; 49(2): 208– 214. 10.1520/JFS2002056 15027533 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The common issue with traditional age-at-death estimation methods is population specificity, age mimicry, bias, and accuracy.

    “The common issue with the abovementioned traditional age‐at‐death estimation methods was population specificity, age mimicry (i.e., when the target sample reflects the age distribution of the reference sample used to create the age indicators), bias, and accuracy [24].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Godde K, Hens SM. Age‐at‐death estimation in an Italian historical sample: a test of the Suchey‐Brooks and transition analysis methods. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2012; 149(2): 259– 265. 10.1002/ajpa.22126 22886637 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The acetabulum has age-related degenerative changes like the pubic symphysis and auricular surface, but it is also resistant to postdepositional degradation.

    “The acetabulum has age‐related degenerative changes, just like the pubic symphysis and the auricular surface, but it is also resistant to postdepositional degradation [17].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Rougé‐Maillart C, Telmon N, Rougé D, Rissech C, Malgosa A. The determination of male adult age at death by central and posterior coxal analysis—a preliminary study. J Forensic Sci. 2004; 49(2): 208– 214. 10.1520/JFS2002056 15027533 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Rissech outlined seven age changes in the acetabulum and concluded that acetabular observations allow for precise age-at-death estimations for individuals over 40 years of age.

    “Rissech [17] outlined seven age changes in the acetabulum bone and concluded that acetabular observations allow for precise age‐at‐death estimations for individuals over 40 years of age [17].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Rougé‐Maillart C, Telmon N, Rougé D, Rissech C, Malgosa A. The determination of male adult age at death by central and posterior coxal analysis—a preliminary study. J Forensic Sci. 2004; 49(2): 208– 214. 10.1520/JFS2002056 15027533 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Several age-at-death estimation methods have been created with reference samples from North America and Europe.

    “Several age‐at‐death estimation methods have been created with reference samples from North America and Europe [8, 9, 10].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [8] Krüger GC, Liebenberg L, Myburgh J, Meyer A, Oettlé AC, Botha D, et al. Forensic anthropology and the biological profile in South Africa. In: Latham KE, Bartelink EJ, Finnegan M, editors. New perspectives in forensic human skeletal identification. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press; 2018. p. 313– 321. 10.1016/B978-0-12-805429-1.00027-2

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [9] San‐Millán M, Rissech C. Inter‐population differences in acetabular senescence: relevance in age‐at‐death estimation. Int J Legal Med. 2023; 137: 701– 719. 10.1007/s00414-023-02954-x 36723664 PMC10085928 source

      Checked before — its earlier verdict is held back until a new check runs.

    • cites [10] Mulhern DM, Jones EB. Test of the revised method of age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2005; 126(1): 61– 65. 10.1002/ajpa.10410 15386244 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Accuracy declined in all methods after 60 years, both for the entire sample and when broken down into age groups.

    “It became clear that accuracy declined in all methods after 60 years, both for the entire sample and when broken down into age groups [6].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Miranker MA. Comparison of different age estimation methods of the adult pelvis. J Forensic Sci. 2016; 61(5): 1173– 1179. 10.1111/1556-4029.13130 27346631

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The auricular surface is regarded as a good age indicator because its morphology is independent of population affinity or sex; therefore, an estimate of an individual's age-at-death can be made without knowledge of their population affinity or sex.

    “The auricular surface is regarded as a good age indicator because its morphology is independent of population affinity or sex; therefore, an estimate of an individual's age‐at‐death can be made without knowledge of their population affinity or sex [16, 36].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] Osborne DL, Simmons TL, Nawrocki SP. Reconsidering the auricular surface as an indicator of age at death. J Forensic Sci. 2004; 49(5): 905– 911. 10.1520/JFS2003348 15461088 source
    • cites [36] Murray KA, Murray T. A test of the auricular surface aging technique. J Forensic Sci. 1991; 36(4): 1162– 1169. 10.1520/JFS13131J 1919475 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method was reported to be more accurate in younger individuals 18-40 years.

    “The Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method was reported to be more accurate in younger individuals 18–40 years [15].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Buckberry JL, Chamberlain AT. Age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: a revised method. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2002; 119(3): 231– 239. 10.1002/ajpa.10130 12365035 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Miranker noted that the middle age range of 41-80 years of age was less accurately represented by acetabulum methods.

    “Miranker [6] also noted that the middle age range of 41–80 years of age was less accurately represented by acetabulum methods, which has never been documented before.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Miranker MA. Comparison of different age estimation methods of the adult pelvis. J Forensic Sci. 2016; 61(5): 1173– 1179. 10.1111/1556-4029.13130 27346631

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    Previous studies have documented that accuracy decreases with increasing age.

    “Previous studies have documented that accuracy decreases with increasing age.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
55 of 55

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The documented chronological ages of the individuals in the skeletal collections are accurate.

    “The right and left os coxae of individuals, ranging from 18 to 100 years of age, which had adequate historical documentation, were included in this study.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The os coxae in the UKZN and DUT collections are representative of Black South African and White South African populations in KwaZulu-Natal.

    “A total sample of 143 os coxae of Black South Africans (n = 92) and White South Africans (n = 51) in KZN province was examined in this study.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The sex and population affinity classifications of the individuals in the collections are accurate.

    “The sample size was separated into sex and laterality (Table 1) and further distributed into age categories (Table 2).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The ages recorded for the individuals in the samples are accurate (true age).

    “how far the mean point age estimate deviates from the known age”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The study samples are representative of the Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa.

    “to be used in Black South African and White South African population groups in KZN, South Africa”
5 of 5

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Black South African acetabulum left-side total disagrees with sex subtotals

    Minor

    Table 8 lists 22 accurate left-side males and 12 accurate left-side females, totaling 34 rather than the reported 35. The corresponding inaccurate counts total 14 rather than the reported 13.

    Reported 35 · recomputed 34

  • White South African pubic-method bias does not match the reported means

    Minor

    Using the paper's definition, the total estimated mean minus the true mean is 61.67 − 72.96 = −11.29 years, not −11.00 years.

    Reported -11 · recomputed -11.29

  • Black South African pubic-method absolute error differs between prose and table

    Minor

    The results text gives an absolute error of 13.70 years, whereas Table 10 gives 13.17 years for the same population and method.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. 10.1111/j.1556‐4029.2006.00060 · DOI
  2. Drake RL, 2005, Gray's anatomy for students
  3. 10.1111/1556‐4029.1565 · DOI

Cited by

Still being checked.

Related

Authors
Mkhonza, S. S., Ngubane, N. P., Aladeyelu, O. S., & Rennie, C. O.
Affiliations
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
  • Walter Sisulu University (ZA)
Corresponding author
  • Mkhonza, Sthembiso S.
  • Aladeyelu, Okikioluwa S.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2025-11-10
Volume
71
Issue
2
Pages
643-655
ISSN
  • 0022-1198 (ISSN-L)
  • 1556-4029
DOI
10.1111/1556-4029.70219
PMC
PMC12967744
OpenAlex
W4416068874
Cited by
0
References
31
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Forensic Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Research Foundation (PMDS22052313937)
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
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Forensic and Genetic Research
Keywords
age at death estimation, auricular surface, acetabulum, population diversity, forensic anthropology, South African population, sex differences, laterality
MeSH terms
Acetabulum, White, Adolescent, Adult, Age Determination by Skeleton, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pelvic Bones, Pubic Symphysis, South Africa, Reproducibility of Results, Forensic Anthropology, Black People, White People, Young Adult

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-11-06.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-11-06.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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