NCJ Number
130210
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1991) Pages: 781-791
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A sample of 186 skeletons of known age, race, and sex were examined to develop a visual method for estimating skeletal age on the basis of obliteration of the four maxillary (palatal) sutures.
Abstract
The method consists of macroscopic examination of the hard palate for general morphological features and pattern of suture obliteration. The maxillary are divided into four sutures: incisive (IN), anterior median palatine (AMP), posterior median palatine (PMP), and transverse palatine (TP). With increasing age, the sutures become shallow and narrow, and most are obliterated completely or in part. The study demonstrated that great variation exists in the amount of suture obliteration with age. For any given age, males exhibit more obliteration of the four sutures than females do. However, the ages of the females were more accurately predicted than those of males, with 59 percent of the females and 34 percent of the males correctly estimated within 10 years. The difference in predicted age estimates versus actual age shows that the ages of 56 percent of the males and 49 percent of the females were underestimated. Although the intraindividual rate of obliteration of the four sutures is quite variable, the sequence follows a general pattern beginning with the IN, followed by the PMP, TP, and AMP. These results demonstrate marked sexual dimorphism in the rate of maxillary suture obliteration. The maxillary sutures can be of value in placing an individual in one of the general age categories; in sorting commingled remains, and in estimating skeletal age when a complete or fragmentary maxilla is only available. 5 tables, 7 figures, and 26 references (Author abstract modified)