Cranfield Forensic Institute, Department of Engineering & Applied Science, Cranfield University, Wiltshire SN6 8LA, UK.
Cranfield Forensic Institute, Department of Engineering & Applied Science, Cranfield University, Wiltshire SN6 8LA, UK.
J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2014 May;33:109-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.10.015. Epub 2013 Oct 31.
Determination of age-at-death (AAD) is an important and frequent requirement in contemporary forensic science and in the reconstruction of past populations and societies from their remains. Its estimation is relatively straightforward and accurate (±3yr) for immature skeletons by using morphological features and reference tables within the context of forensic anthropology. However, after skeletal maturity (>35yr) estimates become inaccurate, particularly in the legal context. In line with the general migration of all the forensic sciences from reliance upon empirical criteria to those which are more evidence-based, AAD determination should rely more-and-more upon more quantitative methods. We explore here whether well-known changes in the biomechanical properties of bone and the properties of bone matrix, which have been seen to change with age even after skeletal maturity in a traceable manner, can be used to provide a reliable estimate of AAD. This method charts a combination of physical characteristics some of which are measured at a macroscopic level (wet & dry apparent density, porosity, organic/mineral/water fractions, collagen thermal degradation properties, ash content) and others at the microscopic level (Ca/P ratios, osteonal and matrix microhardness, image analysis of sections). This method produced successful age estimates on a cohort of 12 donors of age 53-85yr (7 male, 5 female), where the age of the individual could be approximated within less than ±1yr. This represents a vastly improved level of accuracy than currently extant age estimation techniques. It also presents: (1) a greater level of reliability and objectivity as the results are not dependent on the experience and expertise of the observer, as is so often the case in forensic skeletal age estimation methods; (2) it is purely laboratory-based analytical technique which can be carried out by someone with technical skills and not the specialised forensic anthropology experience; (3) it can be applied worldwide following stringent laboratory protocols. As such, this technique contributes significantly to improving age estimation and therefore identification methods for forensic and other purposes.
死亡年龄（AAD）的测定是当代法医学和从遗骸重建过去人群和社会的重要而频繁的要求。在法医人类学的背景下，通过使用形态特征和参考表，对于不成熟的骨骼，其估计相对简单和准确（±3 年）。然而，在骨骼成熟（>35 岁）后，估计变得不准确，特别是在法律背景下。与所有法医学从依赖经验标准向更基于证据的标准转变的总体趋势一致，AAD 的测定应该越来越依赖于更定量的方法。我们在这里探讨了骨骼成熟后仍然以可追踪的方式发生变化的骨骼生物力学特性和骨基质特性的变化是否可以用于提供可靠的 AAD 估计。该方法绘制了物理特性的组合，其中一些在宏观水平上进行测量（湿/干表观密度、孔隙率、有机/矿物质/水分数、胶原热降解特性、灰分含量），而另一些则在微观水平上进行测量（Ca/P 比、骨单位和基质显微硬度、切片的图像分析）。该方法在年龄为 53-85 岁的 12 名供体队列中成功地进行了年龄估计，个体的年龄可以在不到±1 年的时间内近似估计。这代表了比目前现存的年龄估计技术更高的准确性水平。它还具有以下优点：（1）更高的可靠性和客观性，因为结果不依赖于观察者的经验和专业知识，这在法医骨骼年龄估计方法中经常发生；（2）它是一种纯粹基于实验室的分析技术，可以由具有技术技能的人而不是专门的法医人类学经验来进行；（3）它可以在全球范围内应用，遵循严格的实验室协议。因此，该技术为提高法医和其他目的的年龄估计和身份识别方法做出了重要贡献。
