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Journal article
Reliability of the Suchey-Brooks method for a Sri Lankan contemporary population
Forensic Science International. Reports, Vol.13, 100466
06/2026
Abstract
Forensic anthropologists widely use the Suchey-Brooks (1990) method for pubic symphyseal age estimation. However, its reliability across populations remains under-evaluated in South Asia, including in Sri Lanka, which is underrepresented in forensic age estimation research. This study assesses the accuracy of the Suchey-Brooks method in a contemporary Sri Lankan sample. A total of 205 pubic symphyses (146 males, 59 females; 16–99 years; mean = 58.9 years) were analyzed. Intra- and inter-observer reliability showed substantial agreement (weighted Cohen's kappa ranges: 0.60–0.73 and 0.63–0.67, respectively). Overall, 86.8 % of individuals were correctly classified into the appropriate Suchey-Brooks phase. Mean inaccuracy and bias were 11.39 and −7.65 years in males and 14.10 and −7.82 years in females. The highest accuracy was observed in the youngest males (15–25 years; inaccuracy 2.15 years), whereas females aged 26–35 showed significant overestimation (inaccuracy 15.9 years). Accuracy declined with increasing age; in males aged 66–95 years, inaccuracy ranged from 13.71 to 27.80 years, showing consistent underestimation. Similar results were observed in females, with inaccuracies ranging from 13.23 to 30.80 years. These findings indicate that, like many methods and many populations, the Suchey-Brooks method should be applied with caution to older Sri Lankan adults. Future studies should investigate whether pubic symphyseal aging methods with additional, older-age phases improve classifications for older Sri Lankan adults; failing this, the development of regionally calibrated standards should be considered. The method should not be applied in isolation when other skeletal indicators are available. This study provides essential reference data for improving forensic age-estimation protocols in South Asian populations, particularly in the Sri Lankan context.
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Details
- Title
- Reliability of the Suchey-Brooks method for a Sri Lankan contemporary population
- Publication Details
- Forensic Science International. Reports, Vol.13, 100466
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors
- Identifiers
- 99381657293406600
- Academic Unit
- College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities; Archaeology Institute; Anthropology
- Language
- English