Article1987

Racial Variation in the Sternal Extremity of the Rib and Its Effect on Age Determination

132 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Forensic Sciences

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Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies

Abstract

Most research on the aging process in the skeleton has not considered or elaborated differences that may exist between the races. Thus, techniques developed for the estimation of age assume that the racial background of the standards is compatible with the specimens to be assessed. However, racial differences in areas such as skeletal growth and bone density have been reported, along with specific variations in the aging process, in the ribs of disparate populations. The present investigation examines metamorphosis in the sternal ribs of American blacks (N = 53 males, N = 20 females), and tests the application of age estimation standards developed by the authors from a white population. All specimens were obtained from medical examiner's cases of known age, sex, and race. Although the sample was limited in both quantity and age range, analysis of the data revealed racial differences in both rate and pattern of metamorphosis. Statistical analysis showed that the calculated mean age per phase for black ribs was nearly identical to whites in Phases 1 through 4 or until the mean age of 28 years. By the early 30s, differences in morphology and their chronological association with the aging process became apparent and increased with age in both sexes. Blacks were consistently overaged from 3 to 10 years in Phases 5 through 7. Therefore, it was concluded that biological differences between these populations do exist and can affect age estimation from the rib. Social factors may also be involved, but they cannot be demonstrated from the available data. While the degree of interracial variation does not require completely new standards, the authors have suggested specific modifications of the white standards for use on black specimens.

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References

1963The human skeleton in forensic medicine 1984Age Estimation from the Rib by Phase Analysis: White Males 1985Age Estimation from the Rib by Phase Analysis: White Females 1970Personal identification in mass disasters 1921Age changes in the pubic bone 1984Metamorphosis at the sternal rib end: A new method to estimate age at death in white males 1984Human Identification: Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology 1955Skeletal age at death: The reliability of cranial and pubic age indicators

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2015An overview of age estimation in forensic anthropology: perspectives and practical considerations 2015The (mis)use of adult age estimates in osteology 1999First rib metamorphosis: Its possible utility for human age-at-death estimation 2008New Formulae for Estimating Age‐at‐Death in the Balkans Utilizing Lamendin’s Dental Technique and Bayesian Analysis*1993Evaluation of Morphological and Histological Adult Skeletal Age-at-Death Estimation Techniques Using Ribs

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