Study of sagittal suture closure at autopsy: A three-year prospective study
Keywords:
Skeleton, Forensic anthropology, Sagittal suture, Cranial suture, Age estimation, AutopsyAbstract
The skeleton is a principle source of information in age estimation. It is difficult to estimate age after 25 years. Changes in the pubic symphysis,transparency of root and rootlength measurement have been considered as good parametersto estimate age beyond 25 years. The reliability of skull suture closure alone in age estimation still remains doubtful.Sagittal suture is considered to be the most accurate among the other vault sutures. Hence this study was conducted to check for its reliability in age estimation. It was observed that, sagittal suture closure starts earlier on the endocranial surface than on the ectocranial surface. Ectocranially females showed earlier fusion than males, but endocranial suture closure was earlier in males. Ectocranial fusion started between 20-29 years, with maximum closure occurringby60years.Endocranialfusionalsostartedbetween20-29years andachievedmaximumclosureby55years.
