Anthropology
Open Access

Abstract

Estimation of skeletal Age at Death in Adults Using the Acetabulum and the Auricular Surface

Venara A, Martrille L, Godin M, Kerdat C, Deguette C, Chapard D and Rouge-maillart C

Rougé-Maillart et al proposed a technique to determine the age of a subject using the acetabular surface and the auricular surface of the coxal bone. This technique has been described as promising, particularly in subjects under 50 years of age. The initial aim of this study was to test the technique on a new population with two observers, one of whom had no prior experience of the technique. A second aim was to confirm the utility of using the technique on elderly subjects.

Material and method: We worked on 210 bones (108 male and 102 female) from the Terry Collection. Two observers studied the bones (one was a beginner, one an advanced user of the technique). Age estimation of the skeletons was based on analysis of the auricular surface and the acetabulum as described in the method by Rougé- Maillart et al. Intra- and inter-observer correlations were performed to monitor the reliability and reproducibility of this technique in the overall population, before moving on to subjects aged over 50.

Results: For both observers, the data highlighted a good average correlation between score and real age (overall scores of 0.648 and 0.773) in the overall population. The similarity between the observers’ results increases as total scores are used. However, the inter-observer correlation is lower than for the previous study, as some criteria are more difficult to classify for the novice observer. As regards subjects over 50, the results are less reliable than expected, with a higher inter-observer variation than in the overall population.

Conclusion: This study confirms the reproducibility and effectiveness of the method. However, some criteria must be redefined, while others must be weighed. Likewise, a modification to the Bayesian approach with a change to the intervals should be considered.