Rizka Fitri Ana, Sayf Muhammad Alaydrus, Myrtati Dyah Artaria, Yao-Fong Chen

Facial Aging Pattern of the Javanese Population in Indonesia: Contributions for Age Progression Analysis in Forensic Arts

Introduction

Facial aging pattern of the javanese population in indonesia: contributions for age progression analysis in forensic arts. Discover the facial aging patterns of the Javanese population in Indonesia. This study analyzes wrinkles and sex differences, providing insights for age progression analysis in forensic arts.

Abstract

The pattern of facial aging helps put the perception of age into face approximation from the skull, making the facemore recognizable to the next of kin. The objective of this study is to determine the facial aging pattern of Javanesepeople in Indonesia. This study utilized the descriptive quantitative method to identify the highest frequency of thefacial aging pattern variables according to its prominence (0 = Not visible; 1 = Slightly visible; and 2 = Clearlyvisible). This study involved 50 male and 50 female samples of the Javanese population. Each sexed samples weredivided into two age-based groups: 40-44 and 45-49. The wrinkles on males and females aged 40-44 are mostlyslightly or not visible. In the 45-49 age group, the wrinkles are visible on the forehead, eyes, and cheeks. Sexdifferences are found in the forehead and cheek grooves, with males having deeper wrinkles. Premature aging of themale samples might be caused by longer working hours and heavier smoking habits. Aside from sex and gender,ancestry also contributes to a unique aging pattern of the Javanese, differentiating them from other populations. Thecomplex interaction between both sociocultural and biological factors is significant in forming a certain pattern offacial skin aging in different populations and sexes. Aside from its theoretical contribution to studies on humanbiological variations, this study can be referenced to depict more accurate and appropriate facial features in forensiccases that require facial approximations, especially those involving the Javanese people and the general Indonesianpopulation.

Review

This study makes a valuable contribution to the field of forensic anthropology and art by investigating the facial aging patterns of the Javanese population in Indonesia. The importance of population-specific data for accurate age progression analysis and facial approximation in forensic cases, particularly for identifying human remains, cannot be overstated. The authors adeptly highlight how ancestry, alongside sex and gender, contributes to unique aging patterns, differentiating the Javanese from other populations. By quantifying the prominence of specific facial aging variables, such as wrinkles on the forehead, eyes, and cheeks, and identifying sex-based differences, this research provides foundational data that can significantly improve the accuracy and recognizability of forensic facial reconstructions. While the study offers a useful descriptive analysis, several methodological aspects could be enhanced for future investigations. The sample size of 100 participants, divided into relatively narrow age groups (40-44 and 45-49) and by sex, limits the breadth of understanding regarding aging progression across a wider spectrum of life stages. A broader age range would provide a more comprehensive view of how these patterns develop over time. Additionally, while the 0-2 prominence scale is quantitative, incorporating more objective measurement techniques or a more granular scoring system could reduce potential subjectivity and enhance the robustness of the data. The suggestion that "premature aging of the male samples might be caused by longer working hours and heavier smoking habits" is presented as a potential explanation, but the abstract does not clarify if these lifestyle factors were systematically measured and correlated within the study, suggesting this point would benefit from further empirical investigation. Despite these limitations, this research represents a crucial initial step in addressing a significant gap in the literature regarding population-specific facial aging patterns, particularly in Southeast Asia. Its theoretical contribution to understanding human biological variations is notable, and its practical application for forensic artists working with Javanese or general Indonesian populations is immediate and highly relevant. To further advance this important area, future studies should consider employing larger and more diverse age cohorts, integrating more objective facial measurement techniques (e.g., 3D scanning), and systematically investigating the influence of environmental and lifestyle factors. This work provides a strong basis for further, more extensive research into the complex and fascinating aspects of facial aging across diverse human populations.

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