AGE ESTIMATION
THROUGH SKELETON
PRESENTED BY - PRESENTED TO-
SHIVAY Dr. BHUVNESH YADAV
MSc. FORENSIC
A51601120019
INTRODUCTION
Age estimation is an important factor in biological identification in many
forensic fields, such as forensic odontology, forensic medicine, forensic
anthropology, and forensic osteology.
Age estimation assists in narrowing the search possibilities for unidentified
deceased or living individuals for legal purposes.
Additionally, age estimation helps determine the age of perpetrators and
their subsequent penalty for criminal liability, particularly in young people.
A. FROM SKULL
CRANIAL SUTURES
This process begins in the third and
fourth decades of life and the sutures
varies markedly from individual to
individual.
From 25 years- Coronal, Sagittal,
lambdoid sutures start closing
• 32 – 35yrs - Sagittal
• 40yrs - Coronal
• 45yrs - Lambdoid
• 60yrs - Squamous portion of
temporal bone fuses with parietal
bone. Skull sutures
(a) Open, with no evidence of bony
bridging across the suture.
(b) Minimal closure, indicated by
any evidence of bony bridging up to
50% closure.
(c) Significant closure, indicated by
evidence of bony bridging of greater
than 50%.
(d) Obliteration, with no trace
remaining of the suture margins
MANDIBULAR ANGLE
( in degrees)
Infancy- 160 – 175
1 – 3years - 150 - 160
6 – 12years - 125 - 140
15-17years - 120 - 130
18-21years - 90-125
30-40years - 95-115
mandibular angles
> 40 year - obtuse angle
FROM TEETHS
primary dentation permanent dentation
B. FROM UPPER LIMB EXAMINATION
HUMEROUS BONE
>19 years (united head of humerus) <19 (not united head of humerus with the body)
The humerus units and conforms a final stage of Ossification gets competed by the age of 13 but the
ossified head. humerus head is not attached to the body
completely
ULNA AND RADIUS BONE
>20-21years ( closed lower ends of radius and ulna) < 20-21 ( non united lower ends of radius and ulna)
The lower ends of radius and ulna are compactly The radius and ulnar lower ends are not united and
joined and attached has a gap between them
CARPELS
Less than18 more than18
The carpels are not completely fused The carpels are completely fused and united
C. FROM STERNUM
60 y
Partial fusion of the sternebrae
25 y
sternebrae
20 y
15 y
40 y
Complete fusion of manubrium with body
D.FROM FEMUR
Forensic researchers at North Carolina State
University have found a more accurate way to
assess an individual’s age at death, based on
the bone mineral density of the femur. The
technique could be used to help identify
human remains.
femur bone
Bone mineral content and density increase as
we grow, then decline at a fairly steady rate
once we reach adulthood – making it a
potentially useful way of assessing age.
REFERENCES
• Priya E. Methods of skeletal age estimation used by forensic anthropologists in adults: a review.
Forensic Res Criminol Int J. 2017;4(2):41-51. DOI: 10.15406/frcij.2017.04.00104
• Saunders SR, Fitzgerald C, Rogers T, et al. A test of several methods of skeletal age estimation
using a documented archaeological sample. Can Soc Forensic Sci. 1992;25(2):97–118.
• Age estimation in forensic odontologyodontology maninder kaur ,world journal of pharmaceutical
And medical research2016,2(5), 260-265.
• Age estimation: a dental approach shamim t, jpafmat, 2006; 6. Issn 0972-5687
