REIMAGINING THE ACCURACY OF THE LOVEJOY ET AL. (1985) AGE ESTIMATION METHOD OF THE AURICULAR SURFACE OF THE ILIUM THROUGH MODERN COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS

Author

Alyssa L. Edwards, University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Anthropology (Forensic and Biological Anthropology)

Department or School/College

Anthropology

Committee Chair

Dr. Randall Skelton

Commitee Members

Dr. Katherine Baca, Brooklyn Draper, MFA

Keywords

Age estimation method, Auricular surface, Ilium, Modern photos, Lovejoy et al., Anthropology

Subject Categories

Biological and Physical Anthropology

Abstract

The ability to accurately estimate the age at time-of-death of an individual is crucial in numerous fields, particularly in a biological or forensic context. There are various methods, features, and bones that are utilized for determining the estimated age of an individual. This study dives into the Lovejoy et al. (1985) age estimation method of the auricular surface of the ilium by using the current age phase descriptions against different reference photos. The study tests whether updated color photos, when working collaboratively with the current age phase descriptions, increases the age estimation accuracy when estimating age based on the auricular surface of the ilium. The study is completed by conducting an affordable and non-destructive analysis utilizing photography and blind test groups. The results of this study should yield useful information in forensic contexts by presenting whether the Lovejoy et al. age estimation method using the auricular surface would benefit from updated photography.

Recommended Citation

Edwards, Alyssa L., "REIMAGINING THE ACCURACY OF THE LOVEJOY ET AL. (1985) AGE ESTIMATION METHOD OF THE AURICULAR SURFACE OF THE ILIUM THROUGH MODERN COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS" (2024). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 12309.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/12309