Policie České republiky – Kriminalistický ústav
04
Age Estimation
Age estimation
Age estimation from skeletal remains does not mirror the calendar age of a person but more likely their biological age, it means the development stage or wear of a human body. While the calendar age is the number of years that passed from the date of birth, the biological age is influenced by many factors e.g. diet, illnesses, life style, social and economical conditions. Age estimation is generally more precise in non-adults because the development of human body is controlled by hormones and the development phases are narrowly defined by age. Age estimation in adults is not that precise and can oscillate in the range of dozens of years.
Skeletal age in foetuses, newborns and young children is estimated from the size of their bones. However, the skeletal age of older non-adult individuals is estimated from ossification stages which describe transformation of ligaments or cartilage into the bone tissue.
Skeletal age of adults is estimated especially from morphological changes on joint surfaces of some bones. In most cases the pubic symphysis, the 4th sternal rib end and the sternal end of the clavicle represent the skeletal age indicators. Also degenerative changes on vertebrae (spondylosis) or age-related changes in bone tissue in the femur or humerus head are examined.
Dental age in non-adults is estimated based on the degree of teeth mineralization as visible in the X-rays, and based on the eruption of the individual teeth.
Dental age of adults is most reliably determined from changes observed on cross-sections of the single rooted teeth (incisors and canines). The assessed characteristics are e.g. level of attrition, deposition of secondary dentin, root transparency, etc.