Abstract
Anthropologists often estimate age from skeletal remains by applying Iscan and Loth’s (1984) methods, which assess the sternal end of the right 4th rib. Forensic anthropologists also understand autopsy procedures, including types of incisions and tools used. However, current research lacks insight into how these autopsy procedures may limit a forensic anthropologist’s ability to estimate age using the ribs. Gaining a clear understanding of how autopsy practices influence rib preservation and usability can help researchers develop standard autopsy protocols that minimize damage to the sternal ends of the 4th ribs used to estimate age. These improvements would enhance the accuracy and reliability of age estimations in forensic investigations. This exploratory study’s sample (n = 18) consists of modern human remains donated to the Human Identity and Trauma Analysis (HITA) program at Florida Gulf Coast University. I examined the ribs and applied the aging procedure for each decedent, noting cuts to the ribs as well as the location of these cuts. The results showed that there was no relationship between biological age and rib cuts, and skeletal sex and rib cuts. The rib cuts did present a significant relationship with the ability to age ribs (p value < 0.05).