Evaluating the Accuracy, Reliability, and Agreement of the Iscan and Hartnett Age Estimation Methods on a Contemporary European Skeletal Sample of 4th ribs

This study evaluates the accuracy and reliability of the İşcan and Hartnett methods for estimating the age of adults based on rib analysis, using a sample of 127 pairs of ribs from a contemporary European population. The study employed a double-blind design with repeated measurements conducted by two observers. The İşcan method demonstrated a higher success rate, accurately assigning age in 62% of cases, compared to 38% for the Hartnett method. Both methods exhibited moderate intra- and inter-operator agreement, as measured by Cohen’s Kappa. A detailed statistical analysis, including logistic regression, revealed significant discrepancies in the phase assignment accuracy between the two methods. The İşcan method's success rate improved when prioritising the highest observed phase, indicating potential for enhancing accuracy through strategic methodological adjustments. The findings underscore the importance of operator training and the need for consistent application of criteria. This research highlights the critical need for standardisation in age estimation methods and suggests potential improvements for forensic and anthropological applications. The study contributes valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of widely used skeletal age estimation techniques, with implications for improving methodological consistency and accuracy in forensic investigations.