NCJ Number
222338
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 288-295
Date Published
March 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study applied the Iscan method, which analyzes the sternal end of the right fourth rib, to two-dimensional and three-dimensional multislice computed tomography (MSCT) reconstructions of the right fourth rib and compared the age estimations with those obtained by examining dry bones, with attention to the value of these reconstructions for observation of articular surface, the pit (amorphous indentation), the rim and edges, and bone projections.
Abstract
The findings showed excellent agreement between the results of analyzing bone samples and those of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, particularly regarding bone projections and morphology of the pit and rim. The accuracy of age estimation did not differ significantly between the Iscan method applied to dry bones and the same method applied to MSCT images. Age was accurately estimated for 21 out of 36 cases (58.3 percent) when dry bones were used and for 23 out of 36 cases (63.9 percent) when MSCT reconstructions were used. The use of MSCT reconstructions in forensic anthropology has many advantages, including no bone preparation, no damage to bone material, and the possibility of application to living individuals. The bone material consisted of 39 right fourth ribs with soft tissue obtained from autopsies performed for identification purposes in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, between November 2004 and March 2005. In addition to describing the bone collection, this report also describes the MSCT, the study method, and statistical analysis. 1 table, 2 figures, and 14 references