Abstract
Age estimation from the skeleton is typically part of the biological profile used to narrow the list of potential missing persons in the case of unidentified remains, but can also be applied to living individuals for other legal reasons. The estimation of age from subadult remains can be accomplished through the assessment of the degree of dental development, dental eruption, long bone growth, and epiphyseal union. Adult age indicators reflect degenerative changes that occur with advancing age. The pubic symphysis is one of the most reliable areas of the skeleton for adult age estimation. Other methods include changes in the morphology of the auricular surface and the sternal rib end. Many aging standards are sex- and/or population-specific. This should be considered when selecting the appropriate method to apply, and also taken into account when the sex and ancestry are unknown. It is best to use all available indicators when estimating age from the skeleton, giving appropriate weight to the methods that have been shown to be the most accurate and reliable.
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