Forensic age estimation using conventional radiography of the medial clavicular epiphysis: A systematic review

Shedge, Rutwik; Kanchan, Tanuj; Warrier, Varsha; Dixit, Shilpi Gupta; Krishan, Kewal

doi:10.1177/0025802420988223

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The Schmeling method is a five-stage method for age estimation and is widely approved to study epiphyseal fusion of long bones, but most of the research is limited to the clavicle [ 9 , 10 ]. Apart from the clavicle, only two studies have been performed using the Schmeling five-stage method of ossification, also only on the wrist joint [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Estimation in Sportspersons From the Epiphyseal Fusion Around Wrist, Elbow, and Pelvic Joints

Hosmani¹,

Pathak²,

Khartade³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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BackgroundAge estimation of an individual is an integral part of medicolegal work. Out of many scenarios for which age estimation is performed, competitive sports is the one emerging field where experts are consulted for providing accurate age of the athlete. Owing to the chances of deliberately increasing (padding) or decreasing (shaving) the age of the athlete for his own advantage, accurate age estimation is crucial. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) mandates age verification from experts prior to participation in sports events in various age group categories. One of the widely used methods of age estimation in athletes is the radiological examination of the ossification centers of bones. MethodologyThe study was performed on 134 athletes (72 males and 62 females) with an age range of 12-18 years old with due permission from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for this study. These participants compete at state, national, and international levels in squash, handball, swimming, cricket, and judo in under-14, under-16, and under-19 age categories. X-rays of the wrists, elbows, and pelvis were analyzed using the Schmeling five-stage method for the fusion of ossification centers. ResultsA greater degree of correlation between the fusion stages of all regions of interest and chronological age was observed in males than in females. The highest correlation in both sexes is observed between the fusion score of the head of the radius and the age (R = 0.814 for males and R = 0.647 for females). The lowest correlation for both males and females is seen between the fusion score of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and age (R = 0.754 for males and R = 0.441 for females). Multiple linear regression models showed a standard error of estimate (SEE) of 1.093 years for the elbow joint, 1.147 years for the wrist joint, 1.039 years for the pelvis joint, and 1.030 years for all three joints. ConclusionRegression models generated for estimating the age of sportspersons from the ossification centers of the elbow, wrist, and pelvis in the present study can be applied for the age estimation of individuals aged between 12 and 18 years. Future population-specific studies on the age estimation of sportspersons with greater sample sizes are necessary to validate the findings of the present study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Estimation in Sportspersons From the Epiphyseal Fusion Around Wrist, Elbow, and Pelvic Joints

Hosmani¹,

Pathak²,

Khartade³

et al. 2023

Cureus

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“…As during adolescence, a secondary ossification center develops at the medial extremity of the clavicle and undergoes a complete fusion at the age of 22; the analysis of the medial clavicle epiphysis has also been proposed for bone age estimation between 18 and 22 years of age, on X-ray, CT, and US [96][97][98]. Schmeling et al, for example, proposed a classification system for the ossification of the medial clavicle epiphyseal cartilage on X-ray in 5 stages: 1: non-ossified epiphysis; 2: visible ossification center; 3: partial fusion; 4: complete fusion; and 5: the disappearance of the epiphyseal scar.…”

Section: Traditional Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Systems for Automatic Skeletal Maturity Assessment through Bone and Teeth Analysis: A Revolution in the Radiological Workflow?

Caloro

Cè

Gibelli³

et al. 2023

Applied Sciences

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Bone age is an indicator of bone maturity and is useful for the treatment of different pediatric conditions as well as for legal issues. Bone age can be assessed by the analysis of different skeletal segments and teeth and through several methods; however, traditional bone age assessment is a complicated and time-consuming process, prone to inter- and intra-observer variability. There is a high demand for fully automated systems, but creating an accurate and reliable solution has proven difficult. Deep learning technology, machine learning, and Convolutional Neural Networks-based systems, which are rapidly evolving, have shown promising results in automated bone age assessment. We provide the background of bone age estimation, its usefulness and traditional methods of assessment, and review the currently artificial-intelligence-based solutions for bone age assessment and the future perspectives of these applications.

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Forensic age estimation at the University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva: a retrospective study over 12 years

Thicot,

Egger,

Castiglioni

et al. 2024

Int J Legal Med

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With the undeniable increase in asylum requests from unaccompanied alleged minors, age estimation of living individuals has become an essential part of the routine work in European forensic centers. This study aims to review the forensic age estimations performed in our center since 2010, to evaluate the state-of-the-art of this practice in Switzerland with the evolution of the methodology according to upcoming recommendations. Our institute's expert reports performed between 2010 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We gathered the following parameters: demographic data, morphological characteristics, alleged age compared with the assessed minimum age, sexual maturation, dental and bone age. When available, we collected personal and family history, medical history, records of torture-related/self-inflicted injuries, and information about eating habits that might affect skeletal development. Data collection amounted to 656 cases. Forensic age estimations ordered by the Swiss Secretariat for Migration (SEM) represented 76.4% of cases, with 23.6% of them ordered by the Court/Public Prosecutor. Most alleged minors were male (94.5%) and came from Afghanistan (53.4%). Adjunction of CT scans of the sternoclavicular joints was necessary in 86.4% of cases. Only 25.2% of our reports concluded on most probable minority, with 55.6% of definite majors; in 19.2% of our cases, minority could not be excluded. This study aspires to further broaden our expertise regarding forensic age estimations. Given the increasing migratory flows, we can expect a notable increase in the frequency of these requests. Consequently, this study aims to promote a multidisciplinary approach and the international standardization of the methodology of these estimations.

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Forensic age estimation using conventional radiography of the medial clavicular epiphysis: A systematic review

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Age Estimation in Sportspersons From the Epiphyseal Fusion Around Wrist, Elbow, and Pelvic Joints

Age Estimation in Sportspersons From the Epiphyseal Fusion Around Wrist, Elbow, and Pelvic Joints

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Systems for Automatic Skeletal Maturity Assessment through Bone and Teeth Analysis: A Revolution in the Radiological Workflow?

Forensic age estimation at the University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva: a retrospective study over 12 years

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