Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the histomorphological features of the fourth rib and to develop age-predicting equations for Koreans. Sixty-four rib samples (36 males and 28 females) obtained from forensic cases were used for developing equations. Two thin sections (<100-μm thick) per sample were prepared by manual grinding. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant differences in age-adjusted histomorphological variables between sexes. Using stepwise regression analysis, osteon population density and average osteon area were correlated with unknown sex (r2 = 0.826), and sex plus two histomorphological variables provided the best results for an age-predicting equation given the assumption of knowing the sex of a specimen (r2 = 0.839). Average Haversian canal area had little influence on age estimation for male or female samples, and relative cortical area was not significantly related to age for any specimen.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1237-1242 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Forensic Sciences |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2007 |
Keywords
- Age estimation
- Forensic anthropology
- Forensic science
- Fourth rib
- Histomorphometry
- Korean