Histomorphometric estimation of age in paraffin-embedded ribs: a feasibility study

Abstract

Estimation of age at death from human bones in legal medicine or in anthropology and archaeology is hampered by controversial results from the various macroscopic and histological techniques. This study attempted an estimation of age at death by histomorphometric analysis, from the fourth left rib adjacent to the costochondral joint in 80 forensic cases. Use of the picrosirius dye provided a reliable staining of the decalcified paraffin-embedded ribs. The total bone cortical area, the major and minor diameter as well as the area of the Haversian canals, the osteon areas of intact and remodelled secondary osteons, the area of non-Haversian canals were evaluated by means of image analysis, and derived parameters were calculated on both the internal and external sides of the rib. Most of the variables exhibited consistency between three different observers. Noteworthy, morphometric measurements in the internal cortex of the rib showed less variability than in the external cortex. Finally, discriminant statistical analysis from the 80 cases in this study indicated that the osteon population density was virtually sufficient to significantly discriminate between three groups of age: 20-39 (adulthood), 40-59 (middle age) and a group superior to 60. A subsequent blind evaluation of ten new subjects satisfactorily classified seven subjects out of ten within the three age groups. These results make feasible a larger study aimed at characterization of the practical relationships between bone tissue histomorphometry in ribs and chronological age in forensic cases.

Cortical bone histomorphology of known‐age skeletons from the Kirsten collection, Stellenbosch university, South Africa

“…The validation sample within that study demonstrates that the error associated with the development sample is consistent with prior studies (Stout and Paine 1992), with a predictive interval of ±24.44 years (Cho et al, 2002). This method strongly supports a population approach to histological age‐estimation largely based on ancestry, and the variables used form the basis for more recent population specific histological age‐estimation methods (Kim et al, 2007; Pavón et al, 2010; Cannet et al, 2011). An assessment by Crowder (2005) using 215 samples derived from the known age‐at‐death Spitalfields skeletal collection found that the histological age‐estimation method developed by Cho et al (2002) accurately estimated ages within the predicted interval.…”

Estimating age at death from an archaeological bone sample – a preliminary study based on comparison of histomorphometric methods

“…in limb bones. (Crowder and Rosella 2007;Cannet et al 2011). Furthermore, ribs are not subjected by default to detailed analyses during skeleton assessments, which is why interference into their integrity through cutting does not significantly affect the information value of the entire skeleton.…”

“…They suggested, however, that their method might be applied to female individuals as well. Methods by Stout and Paine (1992) and Cho et al (2002), used in this study, also involve calculations for both sexes together, as does the method by Cannet et al (2011). Data presented in Reich (1998), suggesting that separate regression equations should be determined for men and females.…”

“…1). Fragments of cancellous bone on the side of the medullary cavity were excluded from the measurements, as were incomplete resorption bays located on the edges of the photograph (Cannet et al 2011). 5.…”

“…This was achieved by preparing a microscopy sample in the form of a ground section of the analysed bone. Kerley's discovery inspired numerous researchers who expanded their investigations with an analysis of other bones, determined new indicators and modified the assessment methodology itself (Singh and Gunberg 1970;Ericksen 1991;Stout and Paine 1992;Cho et al 2002;Kim et al 2007;Bednarek et al 2009;Cannet et al 2011). As a result, many different formulas have been found that enabled age at death assessment based on the histomorphometry of the cortical bone.…”