Sacral fusion as an aid in age estimation

Forensic Science International : Synergy
Luis RíosC Rissech

Abstract

The degree of fusion at the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae has been scored in 242 male and female skeletons from the Lisbon documented collection, ranging from 16 to 59 years old in age. Statistical tests indicate a sex difference towards earlier fusion in young females compared with young males, as well as a clear association between degree of fusion and age. Similar results have been found by other authors in documented skeletal samples from Coimbra and Sassari, and the recommendations stated by these authors regarding age estimation have been positively tested in the Lisbon collection. Although more research from geographically diverse samples is required, a general picture of the pattern of sacral fusion and its associations with age and sex is emerging. We also provide a practical example of the usefulness of the sacrum for age estimation in a forensic setting, a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War. It is concluded that the scoring of the degree of fusion of the sacral vertebrae, specially of S(1-2), can be a simple tool for assigning skeletons to broad age groups, and it should be implemented as another resource for age estimation in the study of human skeletal remains.

References

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Citations

Jan 15, 2011·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Christina Schulte-GeersMarcel A Verhoff
Jul 14, 2014·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Martin ObertMarcel A Verhoff
May 17, 2012·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Carme RissechDaniel Turbón
Jul 21, 2015·Annals of Human Biology·Lyle W Konigsberg
Oct 16, 2015·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Tara Colarusso
Jan 28, 2012·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·Hugo F V CardosoTeresa Magalhães
Aug 25, 2011·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Olalla López-CostasDaniel Turbón
Dec 15, 2015·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Lyle W KonigsbergHelen M Liversidge
Apr 10, 2009·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Luis Ríos, Hugo F V Cardoso
Sep 28, 2010·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Hugo F V Cardoso, Luis Ríos
Feb 10, 2010·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Midori AlbertEdward Boone
May 15, 2016·Journal of Human Evolution·Yasuhiro KikuchiHidemi Ishida
Feb 28, 2020·European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society·Andrew M HreskoM Timothy Hresko

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