Search

Transition Analysis (TA) is an age estimation method for adult skeletons at death, using three skeletal traits together, namely, the cranial sutures (CS), the pubic symphyses (PS) and the auricular surfaces (AS). In forensic anthropology, estimating age at death is vital for positive identification of an individual; however, differences in skeletal elements have been observed between sex and population affinity. The aim of this study was to determine how accurately the TA could be applied to a population that differed from the original reference samples. Scoring methods, described by the authors of this analysis, were used to age individuals (n = 290) in the South African (SA) Mixed Ancestry population, which is a heterogenic population, consisting of many gene pools from different population groups. The results were compared to the actual ages of the skeletal remains, obtained through cadaver records, and the most likely age calculated by the TA, as well as age estimation by means of the three skeletal elements individually. Results showed that there was a significant correlation between the actual and estimated ages of the study population (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.58). The AS was the most accurate trait, whereas the PS was the least accurate trait. In addition, females’ estimated ages were more accurate than males. These findings correlated with other authors in terms of the significance of the TA when applied to different populations; however, the individual trait correlations were in disagreement with other authors. The results of this study are an important contribution to anthropological literature as they indicate that there are differences between populations and sex when determining age, but that the TA is still applicable for analysis on this heterogenic population.

The literature states that transitional vertebrae at any junction are characterized by features retained from two adjacent regions in the vertebral column. Currently, there is no published literature available that describes the prevalence or morphology of thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae (TLTV). The aim of this study was to identify the qualitative characteristics of transitional vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction and establish a technique to differentiate the various subtypes that may be found. A selection of vertebral columns from skeletal remains (n = 35) were evaluated in this study. Vertebrae were taken based on features that are atypical for vertebrae in each relative region. The transitional vertebrae were qualitatively identified based on overlapping thoracic and lumbar features of vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction. The following general overlapping characteristics were observed: aplasia or hypoplasia of the transverse process, irregular orientation on the superior articular process and atypical mammillary bodies. The results show that the most frequent location of the transitional vertebrae was in the thoracic region (f = 23). The second most frequent location was in the lumbar region (f = 10). In two specimens of the selection (f = 2), an additional 13th thoracic vertebra was present which functioned as a transitional vertebra. This study concluded that one can accurately identify the characteristics of transitional vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction. In addition, the various subtypes can be differentiated according to the region in the vertebral column the vertebra is located in and the relative number of vertebral segments in the adjacent regions of the vertebral column. This provides a qualitative tool for researchers to differentiate the transitional vertebrae from distinctly different typical thoracic or lumbar vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction.

The Kirsten Skeletal Collection is curated in the Division of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. It comprises the largest documented cadaver-derived South African coloured skeletal collection in the world. Our aim in this paper is to present an inventory and characterise the identified skeletons in the Kirsten Skeletal Collection as well as provide a descriptive indication of what researchers can expect to encounter at the anthropology unit at Stellenbosch University. The skeletal material was derived mainly from the cadaver donation programme of the Division of Anatomy and Histology over a 58-year period (1957–2015). All pertinent information for each individual skeleton is entered into a database and a full skeletal inventory is established. The skeletal database registry was analysed to demonstrate the distribution of age, sex and population affinity of individuals in the collection. Currently, this collection consists of 1161 skeletons with known records. Despite differences in the age and sex composition, the skeletal profile in general reflects mainly the profile of the Western Cape population. Most individuals were born between 1920 and 1950, placing the Kirsten Skeletal Collection in the early to mid-20th century. The age at death for the greatest proportion (41.8%) of individuals was between 40 and 60 years. Current biological profile techniques in age, ancestry and sex estimation can be improved and, among others, new regional and ancestral specific standards for the biologically unique and diverse South African coloured population can be developed. Significance: We present the largest documented skeletal collection of the South African coloured population in the world. This work contributes to the skeletal reference database for use by physical anthropologists and others.