Cortical bone histomorphology of known‐age skeletons from the K irsten collection, S tellenbosch university, S outh A frica

Susan Pfeiffer · Amy C. Beresheim · Amanda Alblas

34 citations0/0 files storedAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology

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Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies Bone health and osteoporosis research Bone Metabolism and Diseases

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Normal human bone tissue changes predictably as adults get older, but substantial variability in pattern and pace remains unexplained. Information is needed regarding the characteristics of histological variables across diverse human populations. METHODS: Undecalcified thin sections from mid-thoracic ribs of 213 skeletons (138 M, 75 F, 17-82 years, mean age 48 years), are used to explore the efficacy of an established age-at-death estimation method and methodological approach (Cho et al.: J Forensic Sci 47 (2002) 12-18) and expand on it. The ribs are an age-balanced sample taken from skeletonized cadavers collected from 1967 to 1999 in South Africa, each with recorded sex, age, cause of death and government-defined population group (129 "Colored," 49 "Black," 35 "White"). RESULTS: The Ethnicity Unknown equation performs better than those developed for European-Americans and African-Americans, in terms of accuracy and bias. A new equation based solely on the study sample does not improve accuracy. Osteon population densities (OPD) show predicted values, yet secondary osteon areas (On.Ar) are smaller than expected for non-Black subgroups. Relative cortical area (Ct.Ar/Tt.Ar) is low among non-Whites. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this highly diverse sample show that population-specific equations do not increase estimate precision. While within the published range of error for the method (±24.44 years), results demonstrate a systematic under-aging of young adults and over-aging of older adults. The regression approach is inappropriate. The field needs fresh approaches to statistical treatment and to factors behind cortical bone remodeling.

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References

2011Inequities in access to health care in South Africa 2008Estimation and Evidence in Forensic Anthropology: Age‐at‐Death 1978Revisions in the microscopic method of estimating age at death in human cortical bone 1992Histological age estimation using rib and clavicle 2011Current Practices by Forensic Anthropologists in Adult Skeletal Age Estimation*1979The Core Technique in the Determination of Age at Death in Skeletons 1969A modification of Kerley's method for the microscopic determination of age in human bone.2010Handbook of Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology

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2019Bone histomorphometric measures of physical activity in children from medieval England 2018Sex‐specific patterns in cortical and trabecular bone microstructure in the Kirsten Skeletal Collection, South Africa 2020Current and emerging histomorphometric and imaging techniques for assessing age‐at‐death and cortical bone quality 2019Diet and adult age‐at‐death among mobile foragers: A synthesis of bioarcheological methods 2017Rib biomechanical properties exhibit diagnostic potential for accurate ageing in forensic investigations

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