Effects of Aging on Antemortem -- Postmortem Comparisons of the Peripheral Skeleton for Positive Identification

• NCJ Number: 118678
• Journal: Canadian Society of Forensic Science Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 61-68
• Author(s): N J Sauer; R E Brantley
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Measurement/Evaluation Device
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

A case is presented that illustrates the usefulness of postcranial X-rays for the positive identification of human remains.

Abstract

However, both compact and cancellous bone are known to change during an individual's adult lifetime. To evaluate the cumulative effects of bony changes on antemortem-postmortem comparisons, radiographs of two hospital patients whose treatment spanned 10 and 11 years are compared. In both cases, skeletal changes are evident, but sufficient constancy exists so that comparability for identification is not significantly diminished. X-rays are presented for the knee, shoulder, hip and wrist/hand. Of particular interest are a set of three hand X-rays of a patient who, over a ten year period displayed dramatic osteoarthritic changes. Photographs and 12 references. (Publisher abstract)