Age Estimation of Lumbar Vertebrae by Visual Assessment in a Thai Population
V. 169 N. 5 (2018), Original article
V. 169 N. 5 (2018)

Age Estimation of Lumbar Vertebrae by Visual Assessment in a Thai Population: doi: 10.7417/CT.2018.2080

Original article
Pubblicato 2018-09-10
Nadthaganya Suwanlikhid
Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Sukon Prasitwattanaseree
Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Patison Palee
College of Arts, Media and Technology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand - Excellence Center in Osteology Research and Training Center (ORTC), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
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Parole chiave

Age estimation
Lumbar vertebrae
Degenerative changes
Osteophyte
Cortical surface
Macroporosity

Abstract

Background
The age estimation of bone is essential for identification of the unknown-identity persons in both forensic and anthropological sciences. The lumbar vertebrae carry the most weight; hence, they have more biomechanical stress than any other vertebrae. As a result, the degenerative changes commonly occur in them. However, the estimation from visual assessment in lumbar vertebrae has not been reported in a Thai population.

Objective
To evaluate the age estimation from the degree of osteophyte formation, the macroporosity, and the cortical surface to develop equations of lumbar vertebrae.

Material and methods
A total of 250 lumbar columns (125 males and 125 females) in age range of 22 to 89 years were collected from the Forensic Osteology Research Center (FORC), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.

Results
The most appropriate linear regression equation was used to estimate age by the inferior surface of L1 vertebra (R2= 0.408) with the standard error of 11.686 years.

Conclusion
It was clear to recognize that three morphological aspects will be useful methods for forensic situations

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