Question

A skeleton's pubic symphysis presents many furrows and ridges; the third molars are in occlusion (in use) but their roots have not fully developed; you observe that most of the epiphyses are closed or in the process of closing. In your report you are most likely to conclude the age of the individual is _________.

Answer 1

The skeleton's features, such as a mature pubic symphysis, occluded third molars with incomplete root development, and most epiphyses in the process of closing, suggest the individual is in late adolescence or very early adulthood, likely between 18 to 25 years old.

Step-by-step explanation:

The age estimation of an individual based on skeletal features involves analyzing various changes that occur in the bones over time. When a skeleton shows many furrows and ridges on the pubic symphysis, it indicates skeletal maturity, which occurs around age 20.

The presence of third molars that are in occlusion, yet with roots not fully developed, suggests late adolescence or early adulthood, typically between ages 18 to 25. Most of the epiphyses closing signifies the end of bone growth. Considering the fusion occurs last in the large bones between ages 16 to 19 and the maturity of dental development, the most likely conclusion for the individual's age would be late adolescence or very early adulthood.