Validation of the Italian,European, North German,Malaysian, and South African black formulas on Cameriere method using panoramic radiographs in Kenyan children

International Journal of Legal Medicine - This study aimed to validate the accuracy of five different formulas based on the Cameriere method for age estimation in Kenyan children. We analyzed...     

Age estimation in Turkish children and young adolescents using fourth cervical vertebra

International Journal of Legal Medicine - This study aimed to test radiographic projections of the posterior and anterior sides of the C4 vertebral body for age estimation in a cross-sectional...     

Carpals and epiphyses of radius and ulna as age indicators

Estimation of skeletal age using radiographic images is widely used for assessing biological growth in clinical and auxological studies. The most frequent areas used for age estimation in children and adolescents are tooth and wrist/hand, both giving good results with only a low level of radiation. In particular, ossification of the carpals shows good agreement with chronological age. This study of a sample of 150 Italian children and adolescents aged between 5 and 17 years focused on analyzing the possible applications of the proportion of carpal area (Ca) mineralization as a criterion of age estimation. The ratio between the total area of carpal bones and epiphyses of the ulna and radius (Bo) and Ca was calculated. This ratio (Bo/Ca) was used for linear regression analysis. The regression model, describing age as a linear function of the ratio Bo/Ca, yielded the following equation: Age=−3.253+0.719 g+20.610 Bo/Ca, and explained 83% of the total variance (R ²=0.83). The median of the absolute values of residuals (observed age minus predicted age) was 0.08 years, with a quartile deviation of 1.59 years, and a standard error of estimate of 1.19 years.     

The comparison between measurement of open apices of third molars and Demirjian stages to test chronological age of over 18 year olds in living subjects

This paper concerns a method for assessing adult age based on the relationship between age and the third molar maturity index (I_3M), which is related to the measurement of the open apices of the third molar. Furthermore, this method was compared to those based on Demirjian’s stages G and H. The sample consisted of 906 Caucasian individuals aged between 14 and 23 years (53.6% females and 46.4% males). Orthopantomographs were analyzed by two observers and calibrated by means of the concordance correlation coefficient for the reproducibility of the third molar maturity index (I_3M) and κ statistics for reproducibility of the Demirjian stages. Probabilities for an individual to be older than 18 years of age (adult age) were derived using the measurements of the third molar maturity index (I_3M). These results were exploited to set out a threshold value to assign an individual to juvenile or adult age. A cutoff value of I_3M = 0.08 was taken. The sensitivity of this test was 70% and specificity was 98%. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals with a correct classification was 83%. The results of the test showed a better specificity when compared to the choice of stage G and a better sensitivity when compared to the choice of stage H for adult age.     

Carpals and epiphyses of radius and ulna as age indicators using longitudinal data: a Bayesian approach

International Journal of Legal Medicine - The aim of this study is to develop a new formula for age estimation in a longitudinal study of a sample from the radiological collection of wrist bones of...     

Radiographic analysis of epiphyseal fusion at knee joint to assess likelihood of having attained 18 years of age

Radiological analysis of the epiphyses of the knee joint provides new valuable information, which may be used in combination with these well-established techniques in order to maximise the accuracy in the assessment of age of 18?years. A total of 215 antero-posterior radiographs of the knee was reviewed retrospectively in patients aged between 14 and 24?years old (99 boys, 116 girls). Fusion was scored as stage 1, epiphysis not fused; stage 2, epiphysis is fully ossified and epiphyseal scar is visible; and stage 3, epiphysis is fully ossified and epiphyseal scar is not visible. Scores of 0, 1 and 2 were assigned to stages 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Lastly, the score related to epiphyseal fusion at the knee joint was obtained by adding the three scores of the distal femur, proximal tibia and proximal fibula. Age distribution gradually increased with each score, for both genders. The mean age (±standard error) in each score category varied between genders, but the differences were not significant (p?>?0.11). Five tests were performed to discriminate between individuals who were or were not at age 18?years or more, according to the receiver operating curve. For boys, the highest value of accuracy was obtained with score 3, with high sensitivity (Se?=?93.33?%) and specificity (Sp?=?89.29?%). For girls, it was obtained with score 4, with high accuracy (Acc?=?85.86?%). These results indicate that radiographic analysis of the knee is a valuable alternative as a non-invasive method of estimation of 18?years of age.     

Third molar maturity index (I3M) assessment according to different geographical zones: a large multi-ethnic study sample

Identification of living undocumented individuals highlights the need for accurate, precise, and reproducible age estimation methods, especially in those cases involving minors. However, when their country of origin is unknown, or it can be only roughly estimated, it is extremely difficult to apply assessment policies, procedures, and practices that are accurate and child-sensitive. The main aim of this research is to optimize the correct classification of adults and minors by establishing new cut-off values for four different continents (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe). For this purpose, a vast sample of 10,701 orthopantomographs (OPTs) from four continents was evaluated. For determination and subsequent validation of the new third molar maturity index (I_3M) cut-off values by world regions, a cross-validation by holdout method was used and contingency tables (confusion matrices) were generated. The lower third molar maturity indexes, from both left and right side (I_3ML and I_3MR) and the combination of both sides (I_3ML_I_3MR) were calculated. The new cut-off values, that aim to differentiate between a minor and an adult, with more than 74.00% accuracy for all populations were as follows (I_3ML; I_3MR; I_3ML_I_3MR, respectively): Africa = (0.10; 0.10; 0.10), America = (0.10; 0.09; 0.09), Asia = (0.15; 0.17; 0.14), and Europe = (0.09; 0.09; 0.09). The higher sensitivity (Se) was detected for the I_3ML for male African people (91%) and the higher specificity (Sp) of all the parameters (I_3ML; I_3MR; I_3ML_I_3MR) for Europeans both male and female (> 91%). The original cut-off value (0.08) is still useful, especially in discriminating individuals younger than 18 years old which is the goal of the forensic methods used for justice.