Methods of Skeletal Age Estimation used by Forensic Anthropologists in Adults: A Review

Loss of identity, in cases of both the living and the deceased poses a frequent problem for individuals and authorities. Reconstruction of biological profile of unknown individuals would be incomplete without age determination. Age determination can be performed based on developing dentition, growing skeleton or degenerative changes of the skeleton [1]. For adults, age can be estimated using indicators involved in processes of bone resorption, deposition and remodelling [2]. The evaluation of degenerative processes in adults is based on the normal wear and tear of the body over time. These processes are susceptible to human behaviour and various environmental factors [3]. The process of remodelling is highly variable from one individual to other and the alterations produced are often subtle and difficult to interpret. Furthermore, it is likely that these degenerative changes will differ in their timing and manner among various populations [2]. It has been reported that determination of age for younger individuals, is found to have a narrower age range; whereas for older individuals, the estimated age has a wider age range. This can be attributed to the fact that for younger individuals there are many biological changes occurring at regular intervals and rates. After the individual attains biological maturity, the number and rate of developmental changes are reduced [4]. In adult age estimation, middle age is probably the most difficult to assess as during this period of life, transitions are highly varied due to hormonal and metabolic changes. However, the later years of age have their own share of complications and difficulties which include inevitably occurring higher rates of pathologic conditions and the effects of wear and tear in one’s life [3]. Accurate age at death estimate is essential for the analysis of skeletal remains by the forensic anthropologists, especially in a medico legal settings [5]. Therefore, it is essential to understand the accuracy of the existing skeletal age assessment methods and also if necessary, modify these existing methods to conduct a more precise and reliable age estimation for the various global populations. Various methods of skeletal age estimation have been reported in the literature. The most commonly used age estimation methods used by forensic anthropologists in adults are based on the study of,