title: Forensic Age Estimation Using Thin-Slice Multidetector CT of the Clavicular Epiphyses Among Adolescent Western Chinese.
abstract: Reaching the age of 18 years is the most significant step for criminal proceedings in China. In this study, a population of 752 individuals was recruited to clarify how strong the chronological age relates to clavicular ossification status revealed by CT scans with 1 mm slice thickness in the West China Han population. Finally, the epiphysis was observed to commence fusion in females at 16.28 years and 16.74 years in males and be fully ossified by 25.97 years in females and 25.81 years in males. These findings suggested that ossification of medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilage can be used in age estimation for West China Han population with the age threshold of 18 years. By comparison with previous German studies, our results suggested that the pace of ossification of medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilage may be potentially affected by socioeconomic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Department of Forensic Medicine, Zun Yi Medical College, Zun Yi, Guizhou, 563003, China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiao-Ai
authors.initials: XA
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Zhen-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D010012:Osteogenesis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D054881:Sex Determination by Skeleton; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: age estimation; clavicle; computed tomography; forensic science; ossification; skeletal age; socioeconomic status