Filling Research Gaps in Forensic Anthropology: Skeletal Age Estimation Methods for Nigerian Populations

Forensic anthropological methods for skeletal age estimation were predominantly developed on Western European and North American reference populations, creating significant accuracy limitations when applied to Nigerian skeletal remains. This study investigates the applicability and accuracy of established skeletal age estimation methods for Nigerian adult populations, addressing an identified gap in the regional forensic literature. An empirical skeletal analysis design was employed, examining 120 skeletal specimens of known age, sex, and ancestry from the University College Hospital Ibadan anatomical collection and two university teaching hospital museums in South East and North Central Nigeria. Established methods including pubic symphysis morphology, auricular surface analysis, and sternal rib end morphology were applied and their age predictions compared against documented biological ages. The study evaluates method accuracy, bias patterns, and the potential for developing Nigeria-specific population standards. Findings reveal systematic age overestimation in individuals above fifty years across all applied methods, with mean error rates of 8.2 to 14.6 years depending on method and skeletal region. Sex-stratified analyses indicate greater accuracy for male specimens under the Lovejoy auricular surface method. The study recommends the development of Nigeria-specific reference data for forensic anthropological age estimation and proposes a methodological protocol adapted for use in Nigerian medicolegal contexts. Keywords: forensic anthropology, skeletal age estimation, Nigeria, population standards, biological profile.