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Age estimation based on computed tomography exploration: a combined method

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Abstract

Despite an extensive number of existing methods, age estimation of human remains is still an unsolved matter in the field of forensic anthropology, especially when it comes to mature adults. The specific aim of this work was to propose a combined method for age estimation, for forensic purposes, by coupling the Suchey–Brooks method and the measure of the pubic bone density. For this purpose, we used an independent test sample comprising 339 CT scans of living individuals aged 15 to 99 years old. Measurement of bone density and staging according to the Suchey–Brooks phases were performed, followed by estimation of ages based on a combined method and an existing virtual reference sample. Results highlighted a significant negative correlation between bone density and age. Good accuracy was obtained for the measurement of pubic bone density for age estimation of men and women, especially concerning mature adults, with an absolute error ranging from 9 to 16 years for all individuals. The authors propose a practical combined method consisting of, first, allocating phases according to the scannographic approach of the Suchey–Brooks method. For phases I to IV, the age estimation is given using the Suchey–Brooks method. For phases V to VI, the pubic bone density measurement is used. Further study will be needed to assess the reproducibility of these results on cadavers and dry bones, as the post-mortem process could interfere with the measurement of mineral bone density.

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Availability of data and material

The data sets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Médecine Légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, 1 Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France

    Agathe Bascou, Norbert Telmon, Fabrice Dedouit & Frederic Savall

  2. UNAM, Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 4 rue Larrey, 49933, Angers Cedex 9, France

    Olivier Dubourg

  3. Institut Médico-Légal, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, 37044, Tours Cedex 9, France

    Pauline Saint-Martin

Authors
  1. Agathe Bascou
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  2. Olivier Dubourg
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  3. Norbert Telmon
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  4. Fabrice Dedouit
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  5. Pauline Saint-Martin
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  6. Frederic Savall
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Agathe Bascou, Olivier Dubourg, and Pauline Saint-Martin. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Agathe Bascou, and all authors commented. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Agathe Bascou.

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Bascou, A., Dubourg, O., Telmon, N. et al. Age estimation based on computed tomography exploration: a combined method. Int J Legal Med 135, 2447–2455 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02666-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02666-0

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