The Use of Histomorphology to Estimate Age

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the major factors that can affect age-at-death predictions when using histomorphological methods. Although evidence suggests that some of the currently available methods are more reliable and accurate, and there are a number of factors other than chronological age that can affect bone remodeling, histomorphological methods, when properly applied, are valuable tools for anthropology and forensic medicine. It is suggested that both accuracy and reliability are maximized when the histomorphometrics of as many anatomical sampling sites as possible are sampled and the resultant ages are averaged.