Individual and Population-Based Variability in Cementochronology for Age-at-Death Estimation: Analyses of Modern Reference Skeletal Collections

Author

• Aracely Ariana Balderas-Leal, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

7-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Carina Marques

Second Advisor

Benoit Bertrand

Third Advisor

Servando Hinojosa

Abstract

Cementochronology is a method used in forensic anthropology for age-at-death and season-of-death estimation. This study aims to test the reliability and accuracy of cementochronology for age-at-death estimation and evaluate the influence of population- and individual-level factors on dental cementum deposition. The sample consists of 132 permanent canines from adult individuals (74 males, 58 females), with a mean age-at-death of 58.8 years (SD = 19.5) and a year-of-death range of 1974–2022, from two modern reference collections. Overall cementochronology precision (SD = 2.4 annuli, CV = 6.4%) was high. Accuracy (Δage = −8.1 years, Δ%age = 24.1%) indicated a tendency toward age-at-death underestimation, particularly in older individuals (>60 years). Chronological age was the most consistent predictor of age-at-death estimation error (p < 0.05), while intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors showed limited or sample-specific effects. These findings highlight the importance of considering biological and environmental variation when applying cementochronology for age-at-death estimation.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Aracely Balderas-Leal.All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3409008909

Recommended Citation

Balderas-Leal, A. A. (2026). Individual and Population-Based Variability in Cementochronology for Age-at-Death Estimation: Analyses of Modern Reference Skeletal Collections [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/2046