Variation in osteon histomorphometrics and their impact on age-at-death estimation in older individuals. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goliath, Jesse R.; Stewart, Marissa C.; Stout, Sam D.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 262(2016)
• Page Start: 282.e1
• Page End: 282.e6
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Histomorphometry -- Osteons -- Circularity -- Skeletal biology -- Age estimation -- Forensic anthropology; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: First study to incorporate circularity index for both the femur and rib. With advancing age, osteons decrease in size and circularity increases. An age-predicting model for older individuals is proposed. Abstract: Histomorphometric studies have reported relations between osteon size and age; however, data focused on the shape of osteons is sparse. The purpose of this study was to determine how osteon circularity (On.Cr) varies with age in different skeletal elements. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between age and osteon shape and size. We hypothesized that age would be negatively related to osteon size (area, On.Ar) and positively related to osteon shape (On.Cr). On.Cr and On.Ar were determined for the ribs and femora of 27 cadaveric specimens with known age-at-death. As predicted, age was significantly related to osteon size and shape for both the femur and rib. With age, there was a decrease in size and an increase in circularity. No relationship between sex and On.Cr was detected. An age predicting model, including On.Cr, On.Ar and OPD, is proposed to improve our ability to estimate age-at-death, especially for older individuals.