Age Estimation by Depth of Pit at Sternal End of Fourth Ribs in Males-A Quantitative Approach

Abstract

Background & Objectives This study aims to find the relation of pit depth at sternal end of fourth ribs with the age of an individual on a quantitative basis, to find any bilateral variation in the progression of pit depth according to age and to derive regression formulas if applicable. Materials and Method The study includes 178 rib samples from 89 male bodies brought for postmortem examination. After processing for removal of cartilaginous part, pit depth was measured at that point where the distance between the base of the pit and the adjacent anterior or posterior wall was greatest. The ribs were scored according to depth of pit and the data were statistically analyzed. Statistical analysis used Mean, Standard Deviations, Simple linear regression with R, R Square and Adjusted R Square, Coefficients. Results & Conclusions Prediction of age from the pit depth of sternal end of fourth rib is significant. There is no any bilateral ariation in the progression of pit depth according to age. Regression formulas have been derived for age prediction from the pit depth which are, Y=8.684X+9.621 for the left side and Y=8.900X+7.828 for the right side of the rib ends, where Y= age in years and X= pit depth in mm.