Application of the Suchey-Brooks method to three-dimensional imaging of the pubic symphysis.
Age determination is a major field of interest in forensic anthropology. Among the different methods based on macroscopic skeletal study, the Suchey-Brooks method, which analyzes the pubic symphysis, is one of the most reliable. We applied the Suchey-Brooks method to three-dimensional computed tomographic reconstructions of the pubic symphysis. We demonstrated excellent agreement between the results of analysis of bone samples and those of the three-dimensional images, in particular regarding ridges of the articular surface and delimitation of the extremities. The accuracy of age estimation did not significantly differ (Wilcoxon test) between the Suchey-Brooks method applied to bones and the same method applied to CT images. Using high-quality images, this approach seems as reliable as the standard Suchey-Brooks method and offers several advantages: no bone preparation, no damage to bone material, and the possibility of application to living individuals.
Telmon
Norbert
N
UMR 8555, 31000 Toulouse. France. telmon.n@chu-toulouse.fr
Gaston
Alexa
A
Chemla
Patricia
P
Blanc
Anthony
A
Joffre
Francis
F
Rougé
Daniel
D
D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*