| Determining age at death is a critical step in the process of establishing positive identification of human skeletal remains. While forensic anthropologists utilize a number of skeletal aging techniques, two of the most commonly used standards include those for the pubic symphysis on the pelvis and the sternal ends of the fourth rib. The three objectives of this research are (1) to evaluate the current standards on a large, modern, and diverse sample, (2) propose revisions that increase the accuracy of each method, and (3) establish a new, documented sample for future research and education.;From January 11, 2005, through June 30, 2006, skeletal specimens were collected from decedents of known age, sex, and race during examination at the Maricopa County Forensic Science Center (FSC) in Phoenix, Arizona. Consent from next of kin was obtained in compliance with the protocol approved by the Arizona State University Human Subjects' Institutional Review Board. The collection amassed consists of pubic symphyses and fourth rib ends from 419 males and 211 females, ranging in age from 18 to 99 years of age at death.;Age was estimated using the Suchey-Brooks and Iscan and Loth methods. Both the Suchey-Brooks and Iscan and Loth methods proved to be reliable and consistent, but not accurate methods for determining age at death. The rib ends performed better than the pubic symphyses in estimating age at death.;The pubic symphyses and rib ends were sorted based on morphological characteristics without prior knowledge of the age at death. New descriptions and age ranges were created. A late phase for the pubic symphysis, phase seven, was described for both males and females, and is comprised of individuals over 70 years of age at death. Summary statistics were calculated for each phase and descriptions for each phase were created by Hartnett and Fulginiti. Transition analysis also provided new ages at transition from one phase to the next for this study sample using the Suchey-Brooks, Iscan and Loth, and Hartnett-Fulginiti phase descriptions.;Based on the samples collected, this study builds on the innovative work of earlier anthropologists who established the accepted aging standards utilized in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology today. Although adequate, the methods are problematic due to sample size and statistical issues. This research creates a new, large, and modern documented sample that will be available for study and retesting. |
