Effects of ethnicity on skeletal maturation: consequences for forensic age estimations

Abstract

An X-ray of the hand is an important method in forensic science for estimation of the age of juvenile suspects with uncertain date of birth. Relevant X-ray standards for evaluation of skeletal maturity are available for white US Americans as well as for North and Central Europeans. The applicability of these standards to members of ethnic groups different from the reference population has been the subject of controversial discussion. More than 80 publications were analysed with the view to finding out whether skeletal maturation is affected by ethnic identity. It was concluded that skeletal maturation takes place in phases which are identically defined for all ethnic groups. Time-related differences in passing those stages of skeletal maturation within the relevant age group appear to be unaffected by ethnic identity. It is the socioeconomic status of a given population which is of decisive importance to the rate of ossification. The application of X-ray standards to individuals of a socio-economic status lower than that of the reference population usually leads to underestimation of that person's age. In terms of criminal responsibility, this is of no adverse effect on the person concerned.

The skeletal maturation status estimated by statistical shape analysis: axial images of Japanese cervical vertebra

“…3,9,10,12,21 The present study also confirmed considerably the earlier steps in growth and development for females (Figure 1). Chatzigianni and Halazonetis, 6 using lateral cephalograms, reported that gender dimorphism was found for both cervical vertebral size and shape.…”

“…Gender differences in the velocity of growth and development, the timing of the adolescent growth spurt and the age of skeletal maturation are well known. [9][10][11][12] Ethnic variations in the timing of skeletal maturation might be owing to genetic differences, environmental conditions, socioeconomic status, nutrition, hygiene conditions, and regional and climatic differences. 11,13 By contrast, there have been several studies that reported that, in adolescence, no time difference in skeletal maturation exists between Caucasians and Africans.…”

“…11,13 By contrast, there have been several studies that reported that, in adolescence, no time difference in skeletal maturation exists between Caucasians and Africans. 12,14 Despite several studies, the role of ethnic diversity in skeletal maturation remains unclear. However, under favourable environmental conditions, such as similar socioeconomic status, ethnic differences could be minimized.…”

Medico-Legal Age Estimation in Living Individual from a Portuguese Population: Third Molar Mineralization

“…The attribution of the lowest value, when differences between roots of the same tooth occurred, meted the protocols established in previous studies [5,27], in a way to standardize the procedure. The definition of the population of Portuguese origin by the family name, followed the same guidelines [5,9,24,28,29,30]. The methodology in Harris and Nortjè method, apply that the evaluation was done using the third molar mesial root [15].…”

Dental age assessment (DAA): a simple method for children and emerging adults

“…23 The close genetic control of dental development means that conditions inhibiting growth and development have only a minimal affect on dental maturation. [24][25][26] Thus, developing teeth provide a continuous and steady record of the tempo of accumulated growth from the prenatal onset of tooth miner alisation to the young adult, when the apex of the third per manent molar roots close.…”