Botleeftijdsbepaling

Botleeftijdsbepaling refers to the process of estimating a person's age based on the developmental stage of their bones. This is a common technique in forensic science, archaeology, and physical anthropology. The most widely used method involves examining the epiphyseal fusion of long bones, such as the femur and humerus, and the development of teeth. As individuals grow, specific points on their bones, known as epiphyses, fuse to the main shaft. The timing and completeness of this fusion are predictable and vary with age, particularly during childhood and adolescence.

Dental development, including tooth formation, eruption, and root development, also provides a reliable indicator of age, especially in younger individuals. Skeletal analysis can be performed on living individuals, such as in cases of suspected age fraud, or on skeletal remains. Radiographic imaging, like X-rays, is frequently employed to visualize these bony changes. While not an exact science, botleeftijdsbepaling can provide a reasonably accurate age range, often narrowing down the possibilities to within a few years, depending on the age group and the specific skeletal indicators used. The accuracy can be influenced by factors such as sex, nutritional status, and individual variations in growth patterns.