Transcript Epiphyseal Union of Cervical Vertebral Centra as Compared to Those of Thoracic and First Two Lumbar in the Estimation of Chronological.

Epiphyseal Union of Cervical Vertebral Centra as Compared to Those of
Thoracic and First Two Lumbar in the Estimation of Chronological Age at
Death in Teenage and Young Adult Skeletons.
The Problem
• Sub-Adult age
estimation methods
specifically define
particular ages, but only
go up to 18 years
• Adult age estimation
techniques lump
individuals between 15
and 24 in one age group
Goal
 To develop an age
estimation method for
teenagers and young
adults that will allow us
to more specifically
estimate age at death
(i.e. distinguish an 18 yr.
old from a 23 yr. old,
from a 27 yr. old)
Objective
 The objective of my study
is to do a comparison of
cervical vertebral ring
epiphyseal union with
thoracic and lumbar with
regard to age estimation.
 Are the cervical vertebrae
more, less, or similarly
variable in regard to
accuracy in estimating age
using the ring epiphyses of
the centra as compared to
thoracic and lumbar?
Hypothesis
I hypothesize that unions of cervical vertebrae will
correlate less accurately with age at death than those of
the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

Although the cervical vertebrae do not differ
greatly from the thoracic or lumbar vertebrae, and
consequently follow a similar pattern, it is because
there are fewer epiphyses that the degree of fusion may
not yield an age estimate as precise as one obtained
from more epiphyses.
Relevant Anatomy of Cervical Vertebra
Vertebral Centrum
or Body
The Vertebral Ring Epiphysis
Methods
 . Progress of union will be measured using the phase
system from Albert and Maples 1995
 Albert, A. M., and Maples, W. "Stages of Epiphyseal
Union for Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Centra as a
Method of Age Determination for Teenage and Young
Adult Skeletons." Journal of Forensic Sciences 40.4
(1995): 623-33. Print.
Phase 0 (No Union)
Billowed Surface
Phase 1 (Beginning Union)
Early stages of
union with
noticeable gaps
Phase 2 (Recently Complete Union)
Presence of line,
or groove,
indicates
recently
complete union
Phase 3 (Completed Union)
No evidence of
vertebral rings
remaining
Future Plans
I plan to publish my research in the Journal of Forensic
Sciences
Additionally, I plan to present this research at the
annual conference of the American Academy of
Forensic Sciences
Questions?