Question 1

Which of the following characteristics of the auricular surface of the os coxae are first to show changes related to age?

Accepted Answer

Billowing is the first characteristic of the auricular surface of the os coxae to show age-related changes, typically becoming less pronounced with age.

Question 2

If a pelvis with a pubic face that matches the characteristics of the 25-to-29-year age bracket is found in the vicinity of a skull that has a cranial vault suture score of 6, it is not possible they are from the same individual.

Accepted Answer

The age estimation methods for both the pelvis and the cranial vault sutures can have overlapping age ranges, making it possible for both sets of remains to be from the same individual if the age estimations align within the same age bracket.

Question 3

A pubic face from a male is found with a granular appearance, a ventral complete rampart, a dorsal plateau, an undefined upper extremity, and a defined lower extremity. These traits indicate the person was probably in his 20s when he died.

Accepted Answer

The description provided seems to relate to the characteristics of a pubic symphysis face, which is used in forensic anthropology to estimate age at death. However, the specific traits mentioned (granular appearance, complete rampart, plateau, undefined upper extremity, and defined lower extremity) do not directly correlate with a specific age without a clear context or comparison to known standards such as the Suchey-Brooks method. Age estimation using the pubic symphysis is complex and requires comparison to a detailed phase system.

Question 4

Age calculated from the cranial vault sutures is less accurate than age obtained from the pubic faces.

Accepted Answer

This is because the cranial vault sutures may close at different ages in different populations or individuals, whereas the pubic faces show more consistent patterns of development and closure.

Question 5

A subadult cranium is found with a mandible. All fontanelles are closed on the cranium but the right and left halves of the mandible are still separate. It is likely that these come from the same individual.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A subadult cranium is found with a...

Question 6

The amount of union of primary ossification centers can be used to estimate the age at death of adults.

Accepted Answer

The amount of union of primary ossification centers is used to estimate the age at death of subadults, not adults. In adults, other methods such as the degree of bone degeneration, dental wear, and fusion of secondary ossification centers are used for age estimation.

Question 7

The accuracy of estimations of the age at death from the lengths of subadult long bones decreases with older children.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The accuracy of estimations of age at death from the lengths of subadult long bones decreases in older children due to increasing individual variability in growth patterns and the increasing influence of environmental factors.

Question 8

A subadult tibia is discovered that is 240 mm long. Since a six year old child from this area has been missing since last year, this femur could belong to that child.

Accepted Answer

The length of the femur is consistent with that of a six-year-old child, so there is a possibility that it could belong to the missing child. However, further forensic analysis would be needed to confirm this.

Question 9

A subadult femur is discovered that is 260 mm long. Since a six year old child from this area has been missing since last year, this femur could belong to that child.

Accepted Answer

A femur length of 260 mm is within the range of femur lengths for a six year old child, so it is possible that this femur belongs to the missing child. However, further investigation and analysis would be necessary to confirm this.

Question 10

A fetal tibia is discovered that is 63 mm long. Since the length of this bone is 89.9% of the length of the femur, this fetus was near birth when he/she died.

Accepted Answer

The fetal tibia being 63 mm long suggests that the femur is approximately 70 mm long (since 63 mm is 89.9% of 70 mm). This length is consistent with a fetus near full term, as fetal femur lengths near birth are typically around 70 mm.

Question 11

The methods for estimating the age at death of adults are based on the deterioration of the skeleton through time.

Accepted Answer

Estimating age at death of adults is based on the changes that occur in bones as a person ages. The skeleton deteriorates over time and these changes can be used to estimate an individual's age at the time of death.

Question 12

Estimations of the age at death of subadults are not as accurate as estimations of the age of adults.

Accepted Answer

Estimations of the age at death of subadults are generally more accurate than those of adults because subadults have more distinct and rapid developmental changes that can be observed and measured.

Question 13

There are several changes to histological structures that can be used to estimate age at death in the skeleton and dentition.

Accepted Answer

Histological changes in the skeleton and dentition, such as changes in bone microstructure and dental cementum, can provide valuable information for estimating age at death.

Question 14

The deciduous teeth of a subadult mandible are examined and shown to be completely formed, including the apex of the roots. The person represented by this jaw was at least 4 years old when he/she died.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the deciduous teeth are completely formed, including the apex of the roots, indicates that the person was at least 4 years old. This is because the roots continue to elongate and form until the teeth are fully developed, which occurs around the age of 3-4 years old. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 15

The accuracy of estimations of the age at death of subadults from permanent tooth formation is not dependant on sex and ancestral group.

Accepted Answer

The accuracy of age at death estimations from permanent tooth formation can vary depending on sex and ancestral group. Some populations may have different tooth development patterns and dental anomalies that can affect the accuracy of age estimations. In addition, sex differences in tooth development can impact accuracy, particularly during adolescence.

Question 16

Changes through time to the pubic faces, auricular surface of the os coxae, and sterna rib ends all make the bone "look" older.

Accepted Answer

Changes to the pubic faces, auricular surface, and sterna rib ends are indicators of age-related changes in the bone. These changes can help determine the age of the individual at the time of death.

Question 17

The age changes to the auricular surface of the os coxae are similar to those of the pubic faces.

Accepted Answer

The auricular surface of the os coxae and the pubic faces both undergo age-related changes, including deposition of bone and changes in texture, which can be used to estimate age in forensic and anthropological contexts.

Question 18

A symphyseal surface that is eroded with erratic ossification indicates an old person.

Accepted Answer

A symphyseal surface refers to the joint between two bones in the pelvis that are connected by fibrocartilage. As a person ages, this joint can become eroded and show erratic ossification, indicating that the person is older.

Question 19

A symphyseal surface that is surrounded by a rim indicates a young person.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A symphyseal surface that is surrounded by...

Question 20

A symphyseal surface with sharp ridges and furrows indicates a young person.

Accepted Answer

A symphyseal surface with sharp ridges and furrows is characteristic of a young adult, as these features tend to smooth out with age.

Quiz 9: Estimation of Age at Death