Journal Published Online: 01 September 1988
Volume 33, Issue 5

The Effects of Aging on the Comparability of Antemortem and Postmortem Radiographs

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

To study the effects of aging on the ability to make positive identifications from radiographs of the postcranial axial skeleton, we collected early and later exposed abdominal X-rays from five patients whose period of treatment spanned from ten to twenty-three years. Corresponding lumbar vertebrae from each pair of radiographs were compared for similarities and differences in several of the criteria that have been reported as useful for individualization. These include shapes of the bodies, spinous processes, transverse processes, pedicles, and osteophytic extrusions. It is our conclusion that even though bone is a flexible tissue and changes constantly during life, aspects of the criteria chosen are quite stable and that even after two-and-a-half decades the ability to make positive identifications from postcranial axial material is not necessarily diminished.

Author Information

Sauer, NJ
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Brantley, RE
Department of Radiology, E. W. Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI
Barondess, DA
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS12556J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12556J