age estimation

Question 1

estimating subadult age from dentition

Answer 1

• most widely used technique for subadult aging
• four distinct periods of emergence in human dentition

Question 2

four periods of emergence in human dentition

Answer 2

1) most deciduous (baby) teeth emerge during second year of life
2) two permanent incisors and first permanent molar emerge between 6-8 years
3) most permanent canines, premolars, and second molars emerge between 10-12
4) third molars emerge around 18

Question 3

estimating adult age from dentition

Answer 3

• if the rate of wear within a population is fairly homogenous, it follows that the extent of wear is a function of age

Question 4

estimating adult age from cranial suture closure

Answer 4

• the spheno-occipital synchondrosis is useful because 95% of all individuals have fusion here between 20 and 25 years old

Question 5

estimating subadult age from epiphyseal closure

Answer 5

• usually scored as unfused (nonunion), united, or fully fused (complete union)
• usually fuse at a known age depending on population, individual, and sex
• epiphyseal union for several elements overlaps the conclusion of tooth eruption, making these aging techniques complementary

Question 6

estimating adult age from the pubic symphyseal surface

Answer 6

• the young adult pubic symphysis has a rugged surface traversed by horizontal ridges and intervening grooves
• this surface loses relied with age and is bounded by a rim by age 35

Question 7

estimating adult age from the auricular surface of the ilium

Answer 7

• the young auricular surface shows a fine-grained surface texture and pattern of regular, usually transverse surface outlines
• beginning in adulthood, the surface becomes coarser, and the outlines reduce