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The use of biochemical methods for adult age-at-death estimation compared to the traditional morphological methods
Miškovský, Jakub ; Kotěrová, Anežka (advisor) ; Šolc, Roman (referee)
The abstract The first mentions of various methods of estimating a person's age-at-death expectancy based on his skeletal remains are as old as forensic science itself. Estimation of a person's lage-at-death estimation is an integral part of his biological profile and many other data about a given individual can be derived from it. The estimate for the remains of adults is much more complex, inaccurate and less reliable than expectancy for the remains of children, as morphological changes are not as progressive as during adolescence. Classical morphological methods allow estimation only in wide age intervals. However, there are several methods based on chemical or molecular basis that can be used to estimate the age of adults. The aim of this bachelor thesis is a general summary of principles and methods based on macroscopic visual evaluation of skeletal indicators, as well as chemical, biochemical or molecular methods and their mutual comparison with an indication of their advantages, limits and disadvantages. The key words: age at death estimation, biological profile, methods of age estimation, DNA methylation, racemization of aspartic acid
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Possibilities and limits of auxological studies in past populations
Suchanová, Gabriela ; Velemínská, Jana (advisor) ; Sedlak, Petr (referee)
Auxological studies in bioarcheology provide valuable information about the health of children in past populations. They show the influence of various environmnetal factors, non- specific stress or illness during growth. The stress following the growth retardation of subadults who survive until adulthood will influence the function and general health of the entire population. Despite all the achieved results in this field, auxological studies comprise of many problems. It is necessary to remember that the archaeological samples of children who died of unknown reasons are compared with modern growth standards, also the secular trend of recent population needs to be allowed for. The question is whereas the growth of children who died prematurely represents accuretly the growth of those who survived until adulthood. Of importance is a precise estimation of age of subadult skeletons. To minimalize faults associated to paleoauxological studies in bioarchaeology, it is necessary to compare the samples of related populations where possible, use the same techniques of age-at-death estimation, take account of migrations and so on.
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