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Technical note: preliminary insight into a new method for age-at-death estimation from the pubic symphysis

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Abstract

Age-at-death estimation methods are important in forensic anthropology. However, age assessment is problematic due to inter-individual variation. The subjectivity of visual scoring systems can affect the accuracy and reliability of methods as well. One of the most studied skeletal regions for age assessment is the pubic symphysis. Few studies on Spanish pubic symphysis collections have been conducted, making further research necessary as well as the sampling of more forensic skeletal collections. This study is a preliminary development of an age-at-death estimation method from the pubic symphysis based on a new simple scoring system. A documented late twentieth century skeletal collection (N = 29) and a twenty-first century forensic collection (N = 76) are used. Sixteen traits are evaluated, and a new trait (microgrooves) is described and evaluated for the first time in this study. All traits are scored in a binary manner (present or absent), thus reducing ambiguity and subjectivity. Several data sets are constructed based on different age intervals. Machine learning methods are employed to evaluate the scoring system’s performance. The results show that microgrooves, macroporosity, beveling, lower extremity, ventral and dorsal margin decomposition, and lipping are the best preforming traits. The new microgroove trait proves to be a good age predictor. Reliable classification results are obtained for three age intervals (≤ 29, 30–69, ≥ 70). Older individuals are reliably classified with two age intervals (< 80, ≥ 80). The combination of binary attributes and machine learning algorithms is a promising tool for gaining objectivity in age-at-death assessment.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the Master of Biological Anthropology of Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and Research Group in Biological Anthropology (GREAB, AGAUR 2017SGR1630).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Anthropology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Vegetal Biology and Ecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain

    Andrés Castillo

  2. Forensic Anthropology Unit, Institut de Medicina Legal i Ciènces Forenses de Catalunya (IMLCFC), Ciutat de la Justícia, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 111 Edifici G, 08075, Barcelona, Spain

    Ignasi Galtés & Santiago Crespo

  3. Research Group of Biological Anthropology (GREAB), Biological Anthropology Unit, BABVE Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain

    Ignasi Galtés & Xavier Jordana

  4. Legal Medicine Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, 08193, Spain

    Ignasi Galtés & Santiago Crespo

  5. The Tissue Repair and Regeneration Laboratory (TR2Lab), Experimental Sciences and Methodology Department, Faculty of Health Science and Welfare, University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia, Sagrada Família 7, 08500, Vic, Spain

    Xavier Jordana

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Correspondence to Xavier Jordana.

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All autopsy samples are stored in private collection at the IMLCFC, registered as a collection at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Reference C.0004241) in compliance with the ethical regulations.

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Castillo, A., Galtés, I., Crespo, S. et al. Technical note: preliminary insight into a new method for age-at-death estimation from the pubic symphysis. Int J Legal Med 135, 929–937 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02434-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02434-6

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