The accuracy and reliability of the Suchey–Brooks pubic symphysis age estimation method: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Schanandore, James V.; Wolden, Mitch; Smart, Neil A.

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.14911

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Although accuracy is measured differently (as correlation coefficients) in Schanandore et al. 's [32] meta‐analysis of the Suchey‐Brooks method, their results are still comparable in that both the present study and theirs find that Brooks and Suchey [22] outperform the auricular surface and ribs. Notably, they also found sex differences, with males having slightly greater correlation coefficients than females, translating to greater accuracy in males.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 45%

Considerations for age estimation accuracy: Method‐derived outcomes and practitioner interpretations

Hughes,

Yim,

Juarez

2024

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Recent research observed 92% accuracy for age‐at‐death estimations by U.S. forensic anthropologists. The present study compares this case report level accuracy to method level accuracy for the most commonly used methods in U.S. casework, drawing from the Forensic Anthropology Database for Assessing Methods Accuracy (FADAMA). Method application rate (i.e., how often a method is used in casework) was analyzed for n = 641 cases and identified 15 methods with an application rate >45 cases, and the present study focused further analyses on these 15 methods. Of the 15, only four yielded accuracies greater than or equal to the 92% documented for case‐report level accuracy. The other 11 methods produced accuracy rates ranging from 54% to 91%, with six of these below 70% This disconnect between highly accurate age estimations at the case report level compared to the poor performance at method level suggests that practitioner interpretation and synthesis of the methods' outcomes is a critical step for increasing the accuracy rates of the age estimations as reported on the final case report. This inference was further supported by the study's results which indicated that practitioner interpretations of frequently used method combinations improve accuracy and age range width of age estimation. The study also performed a Fisher's Exact test to assess whether case report‐level accuracy differed with the number of aging methods used in a case, and found no significant differences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 45%

Considerations for age estimation accuracy: Method‐derived outcomes and practitioner interpretations

Hughes,

Yim,

Juarez

2024

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Previously undertaken systematic reviews and meta-analyses with the Suchey–Brooks method validate this hypothesis. 86,87 However, targeted research studies investigating the applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for ageing an Indian population are unreported. It is this lacuna that the present study purports to fill.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for age estimation in an Indian population: A computed tomography-based exploration using Bayesian analysis and machine learning

et al. 2023

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Age estimation occupies a prominent niche in the identification process. In cases where skeletal remains present for examination, age is often estimated from markers distributed throughout the skeletal framework. Within the pelvis, the pubic symphysis constitutes one of the more commonly utilized skeletal markers for age estimation, with the Suchey–Brooks method comprising one of the more commonly employed methods for pubic symphyseal age estimation. The present study was targeted towards assessing the applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for pubic symphyseal age estimation, an aspect largely unreported for an Indian population. In order to do so, clinically undertaken pelvic computed tomography scans of individuals were evaluated using the Suchey–Brooks method, and the error associated with the method was established using Bayesian analysis and different machine learning regression models. Amongst different supervised machine learning models, support vector regression and random forest furnished lowest error computations in both sexes. Using both Bayesian analysis and machine learning, lower error computations were observed in females, suggesting that the method demonstrates greater applicability for this sex. Inaccuracy and root mean square error obtained with Bayesian analysis and machine learning illustrates that both statistical modalities furnish comparable error computations for pubic symphyseal age estimation using the Suchey–Brooks method. However, given the numerous advantages associated with machine learning, it is recommended to use the same within medicolegal settings. Error computations obtained with the Suchey–Brooks method, regardless of the statistical modality utilized, indicate that the method should be used in amalgamation with additional markers to garner accurate estimates of age.

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“…By quantitatively examining heterogeneity, it can be determined where uncertainty remains on a research question [43,44]. This approach that critically appraises results of multiple studies has previously been effectively used in anthropological studies [45][46][47] and has been employed in the present study.…”

Section: Materials S and Me Thodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A meta‐analytic review of the frequency and patterning of laryngohyoid and cervical fractures in cases of suicide by hanging

Wilson

McFadden

Rowbotham

2023

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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The frequency and distribution of fractures are commonly utilized to assist in interpreting the manner of death. In cases of alleged suicide by hanging, however, the evidence base for the frequency and patterning of laryngohyoid and cervical vertebrae fractures resulting from such blunt force traumatic events is limited and so fractures cannot be reliably used to assist in interpreting the manner. Using meta‐analytic techniques, this study aimed to estimate frequency and distribution of fractures in the context of relevant intrinsic and extrinsic variables. A systematic review of the literature identified 20 studies with relevant data (8523 cases of suicide by hanging). Meta‐analyses identified the frequency and distribution of fractures present and how fracture frequency was affected by the subgroups of age, sex, completeness of suspension, ligature knot position and study design. Results indicated that fracture frequency was variable, there was no unique patterning, and high levels of heterogeneity were present in all variable sub‐groups. Age was the only subgroup to show differences. Findings suggest that neck fracture frequency is inconsistent and cannot be predicted by the chosen variables. Subsequently, neck fractures in isolation should not be given weight in medico‐legal interpretations of a hanging death as suicidal.

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The accuracy and reliability of the Suchey–Brooks pubic symphysis age estimation method: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Cited by 7 publications

References 65 publications

Considerations for age estimation accuracy: Method‐derived outcomes and practitioner interpretations

Considerations for age estimation accuracy: Method‐derived outcomes and practitioner interpretations

Applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for age estimation in an Indian population: A computed tomography-based exploration using Bayesian analysis and machine learning

A meta‐analytic review of the frequency and patterning of laryngohyoid and cervical fractures in cases of suicide by hanging

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