Developmental and Degenerative Methods of Age Determination in Human Skeletal Remains - Essay Example

? Forensic Biology Introduction Forensic biology is based on different methods. The modern researchers and scientists of this field arelooking for many opportunities to realize their intentions. On the basis of skeletal remains with application of both developmental and degenerative methods it is possible to determine sex and age of population. These methods evoke numerous controversies among the researchers and scientists in this field. Nevertheless, it is relevant to chose effective methods and asses their applicability, reliability and range. Very often population specific data are required. There is a different degree of the method’s efficiency. For example, some methods are more relevant to males and some to females. Actually, fforensic biology deals with various methods and techniques used for identification of age and sex of the skeletal remains. On the basis of the modern researches and studies it is evident that currently modern scientists are implementing the most accurate and efficient research methods in their studies. A field of forensic biology is not an exception and both degenerative and developmental methods, as well as their relevant application are considered further on. Part A Developmental method For example, such conditions as arthritis and osteoporosis can be prevalent in old age. Therefore, this type of conditions signifies old age of the remains of the skeleton. The age at death of a skeleton is the key feature in analysis of demographic characteristics of the skeleton. Age of dead individuals can be a key to their life, physical features, health, culture etc. Methods for age determination can depend on environment or a specific region. Widely-known methods, such as those used by Buikstra and Ubelaker’s and other researchers and scientists (1994) are focused on fusion of bone, which is a very important indicator. UK scientists and researchers underline the importance of dentition. Whereas Van der Merwe, Morris, Steyn, Maat underline that a special attention should be paid for fusion and degenerative features. These researchers pay their attention to the efficient and accurate practices and methods of age determination. Researchers and scientists are mainly dependent on microscopic determination of age. Age category determination depends on a certain community and its traditions of age determination. Scheuer and Black (2000) or Brickley and McKinley (2004) and many other modern researchers and scientists were focused on a detailed consideration about developmental osteology which is a very important resource for working and cooperation with infants or juveniles and their skeleton remains. Each skeletal element develops in accordance with its own scenario and each age stage. There are the following appropriate features and characteristics, which can be mentioned: “The complete fusion of all long-bone epiphyses, the eruption of the third molars, and fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (basilar suture) are all used as markers of adulthood” (Righter, 2002, p. 43). Developmental characteristics and methods are confirmed, because genetics and evolution can be identified in the process of developmental methods implementation. Bones, teeth and other features, which are appropriate for this method, are less sensitive to the environment. Age can be also determined in accordance with the following methods and techniques implemented: “For example, union of the mandible at the mandibular symphysis occurs between six and nine months, while development of the tympanic ring and its eventual fusion with the temporal bone, closure of the fontanelles, and fusion of the metopic suture all normally occur around two to three years of age” (Van der Merwe, Morris, Steyn, Maat). Therefore, developmental methods are mainly reliable on skeletal parts, which are less sensitive to the environment and many other external factors. Degenerative method From 20s the age of skeleton remains has been identified basing on the degenerative method. There were some changes in the bones or joints were identified in accordance with this method. Macroscopic methods were not reliable and the majority of scientists and researchers did not rely on their results of studies. A rate of bone degeneration is hardly influenced by occupational and physical activity. Furthermore, it is possible to confirm that bone degeneration is influenced in the process of age determination. A method, which is based on bone degeneration, which is determined on biographical data from individuals, is often criticized. Moreover, very often some critics claim that this method cannot provide exact data on identification of skeletal collections even though they are represented on the example of statistic. Methods for sex determination of the skeleton remains have been also discussed by the modern researchers and scientists. As a result, they found out that sex determination depends on each region separately. Remains of different bones are influenced by the environmental conditions. On the example of 120 Iranian cadavers: “maximum of length and mid shaft circumference of clavicle was measured. SPSS (Version 13.5) was used for statistical analysis. The mean of maximum of the length and the mid shaft circumference of clavicle was larger in men (P  Read More