Technical note: age estimation by using pubic bone densitometry according to a twofold mode of CT measurement

Abstract

In forensic anthropology, age estimation is a major element in the determination of a biological profile and the identification of individuals. Thus, many anatomical structures have been studied, such as the pubic symphysis, which is a source of major interest due to its late maturation. One of the most well-known methods of assessment is the Suchey-Brooks (SB) system based on the morphological characteristics of the pubic symphysis. The aim of this study was to propose linear regression formulae in order to deduce chronological age from bone density, using both Hounsfield unit (HU), and mean bone density (mBD) values of the pubic symphysis. Moreover, we intended to test the reliability and then to explore the feasibility of using HU instead of mBD values for age estimation. We built retrospectively a reference sample of 400 pubic symphyses using computed tomography at a French hospital and a test sample of 120 pubic symphyses. Equations were created to establish linear regression models for age estimation. Inaccuracy and bias were calculated for individuals aged more or less than 40 years. We highlighted homogeneous mean absolute errors for both HU and mBD values, most of them being less than 10 years. Moreover, we reported a moderate overestimation for younger individuals and a very small underestimation for older individuals. This study proposes a correlation between the bone density and age of individuals with a valuable level of reliability. Finally, HU measurements seem to be suitable for linking bone density with the age of individuals in forensic practice.

Keywords: Age estimation; Computed tomography; Forensic anthropology; Hounsfield unit; Mean bone density; Pubic bone.