McKern-Stewart method as a technique for analysing age related pubic symphyseal changes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal article


Warrier, V., Shedge, R., Krishan, K. and Kanchan, T. 2023. McKern-Stewart method as a technique for analysing age related pubic symphyseal changes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, Science, and the Law. 63 (1), pp. 31-41. https://doi.org/10.1177/00258024221092196
AuthorsWarrier, V., Shedge, R., Krishan, K. and Kanchan, T.
Abstract

Age estimation is one of the essential criteria in the identification process. The method of age estimation employed depends on the availability of skeletal material brought for forensic examination. McKern and Stewart's method constitutes one of the principal approaches towards pubic symphyseal age estimation. The method entails evaluating morphological changes within the pubic symphysis and subsequently allotting a specific score corresponding to the observed changes. Based on the obtained scores, an age range is then assigned to the remains presenting for examination. The present systematic review was undertaken to ascertain the applicability of the McKern-Stewart method for age estimation. Studies pertaining to the use of the McKern-Stewart method for age estimation in skeletal remains were retrieved by keying in a combination of MeSH terms and other free terms from four databases. The retrieved articles were subjected to a stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, following which the risk of bias was assessed and the overall quality of evidence was established. Once the final tally of relevant articles was obtained, data specific to the mean age corresponding to each score was extracted. Non-parametric tests and boxplots were employed to compare the mean ages reported across multiple studies. The present systematic review concludes that the McKern-Stewart method can be applied for the purpose of age estimation in skeletal remains. Broader age cohorts for higher scores, as well as, overlapping values for age ranges in relation to the cumulative scores, however, can be considered a limitation for its applicability in forensic case work.

KeywordsAge estimation; Applicability; Forensic anthropology; McKern-Stewart method; Skeletal remains
Year2023
JournalMedicine, Science, and the Law
Journal citation63 (1), pp. 31-41
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN2042-1818
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/00258024221092196
Web address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00258024221092196
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35392731/
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online07 Apr 2022
Publication process dates
Deposited11 Jul 2024
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https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/q55w0/mckern-stewart-method-as-a-technique-for-analysing-age-related-pubic-symphyseal-changes-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis

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