Age Estimation from the Skeleton of the Foot and Ankle

Research

Age Estimation from the Skeleton of the Foot and Ankle: Applicability of Current Methods to a Modern Scottish Sample and Consequences for Forensic Practice

Stories concerning the discovery of human remains are appearing in the national and international media at an increasingly frequent rate. Sometimes these discoveries consist of an entire body; however there are an increasing number of cases where a single body part is located in isolation. It is therefore crucial that the methods of assessment employed by investigators are current and applicable in order to obtain as much reliable information as possible to aid police in their enquiries and to establish the identity of an individual.

 This research study aims to examine the reliability and accuracy of current methods of age estimation with reference to the skeleton of the foot and ankle when applied to a Scottish sample. The aim of this study is to assess the applicability of these methods and to make recommendations or adjustments based on the findings. This, in the context of the law reforms pertaining to forensic evidence, could have a significant impact on anthropological assessments of feet when recovered in isolation and age assessment as an entity within the field of forensic anthropology.