A Cross Sectional Study of Age Related Pubic Symphyseal Changes in 3 Decades of Life

Abstract

Background and objectives – ABSTRACT Age estimation is one of the most important and essential exercise for personal identification in dead bodies. Studies have shown age specific changes in pubic symphyseal surface between 2 nd – 5 th decade of life; prominent during 3 decades & considered much more reliable for determining the age. It can give a narrow age range when compared to other parameters such as dental changes, suture closure of skull, changes in the other bones like vertebra, ribs, etc. The objective of the study is to estimate age based on the morphological changes by applying the standard criteria devised by Mckern and Stewart, compare the data from different studies and its usefulness in application to the people of North Karnataka region. Methods – The present study is a cross sectional study of one year duration from 1 November 2007 to 31 st ABSTRACT October 2008. A total of 50 pubic bones ( 37 males and 13 females) aged between 20-40 years were collected from the bodies of deceased at post mortem done in mortuary of department of forensic medicine and toxicology. After collecting the pubic bones serial numbers were given and kept for natural maceration for 3-4 weeks. It was then washed and the changes observed in the pubic symphyseal surface and compared to other researches done in India and abroad. Results – For males belonging to North Karnataka region, after adding +1 and +2 years for the total score 6-7 and 10 respectively, morphological changes in pubic rd & 4 th st VIII symphyseal surface found accurate for age estimation. For females, the age range was high in the total scores 6-7 ( 22-35 years) and total score 10 ( 30 years) compared to Mckern and Stewarts’ total score 6-7 ( 20-24 years ) and total score 10 ( 23-28 years) . Conclusions and interpretation – The present study revealed that the age can be fairly accurately estimated from the pubic symphyseal surface in males of North Karnataka region using Mckern and Stewart’s method. On comparing to other researches in South India ( Hyderabad ) it is found to be correlating for males. On comparing to the studies done in North India it is less accurate to be used for females but can be fairly accurately used in males. Overall, Mckern and Stewart’s criteria of age estimation from pubic symphysis bone has found more accurate when applied to male bones.