The first rib as a method of adult age-at-death estimation in a modern South African sample

This study aimed to develop and test an age-at-death estimation method using the first rib. An identified modern black South African sample of 260 skeletons were used to collect age-related data from the first rib. Multiple linear regression analysis equations were created from this data for male, female, and combined samples. When tested on a hold-out sample, equations generated mean inaccuracies of 7 –13 years for point estimates. The 95% confidence intervals contained the true age in 11–33% of individuals depending on the equation used, but wider intervals generated using 95% prediction intervals contained true ages for 100% of individuals. Point estimate inaccuracies are comparable to oth er age-at-death estimation methods and may be useful if single indicator estimation is unavoidable in the case of missing or damaged bones. However, combined methods that use indicators from many areas of the skeleton are preferable and may reduce interval widths.
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - Category: Medical Law Source Type: research