THE IMPACT OF LOW-BODY WEIGHT ON ESTIMATING AGE-AT-DEATH AND SENESCENCE OF FEATURES ON THE AURICULAR SURFACE OF THE PELVIC SACROILIAC ARTICULATION**

Authors

Dawson W. Lamb*, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302Follow
Frank L'Engle Williams, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302Follow

Abstract

Forensic anthropologists are commonly tasked with constructing a biological profile when attempting to identify an individual based on skeletal remains. During this process, age estimation is commonly accomplished by scoring the auricular surface of the os coxae. However, this process has encountered interobserver error due to biological variation in height, weight and occupational stress. It has been previously determined that increased body mass index, or BMI, levels can result the overestimation of individual ages from the scoring of the auricular surface compared to their age at the time of death. However, less is known about the impact of low BMI on estimating age-at-death from the auricular surface. In a sample of 150 individuals from the Bass Skeletal Collection at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, three age groups (30-49, 50-64, and 65-80) were examined and their sacroiliac joints scored using the Buckberry & Chamberlain system. Using mean ages from the composite scoring system used in Buckberry & Chamberlain, each of the three groups were designated a mean age and standard deviation using a 95% Confidence Interval. The 30-49 age group of known ages possesses a mean estimated age of 36.89; and a standard deviation of 1.10. The 50-64 age group of known ages exhibits a mean estimated age of 48.50 and a standard deviation of 0.89. Finally, the 65-80 age group of known ages produces a mean estimated age of 58.39 and a standard deviation of 0.92. This research indicates individuals with low BMI are often underestimated with respect to age based on the scoring of the auricular surface. The implication is that body weight, when available, should be taken into account when estimating age-at-death using the auricular surface to improve the accuracy and completeness of the biological profile.

Recommended Citation

Lamb*, Dawson W. and Williams, Frank L'Engle (2024) "THE IMPACT OF LOW-BODY WEIGHT ON ESTIMATING AGE-AT-DEATH AND SENESCENCE OF FEATURES ON THE AURICULAR SURFACE OF THE PELVIC SACROILIAC ARTICULATION**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 82, No. 1, Article 151.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol82/iss1/151