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

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.