title: The epiphyseal scar: changing perceptions in relation to skeletal age estimation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is imperative that all methods applied in skeletal age estimation and the criteria on which they are based have a strong evidential basis. The relationship between the persistence of epiphyseal scars and chronological age, however, has remained largely untested.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the relationships between the level of persistence of the epiphyseal scar and chronological age, biological sex and side of the body in relation to the interpretation of epiphyseal scars in methods of skeletal age estimation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of radiographic images was obtained from the Tayside NHS Trust, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK. This included images of four anatomical regions from living female and male individuals aged between 20-50 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Some remnant of an epiphyseal scar was found in 78-99% of individuals examined in this study. The level of persistence of epiphyseal scars was also found to vary between anatomical regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall relationship between chronological age and the level of persistence or obliteration of the epiphyseal scar was found to be of insufficient strength to support a causative link. It is, therefore, necessary that caution is employed in their interpretation in relation to skeletal age estimation practices.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Anatomy , Leeds Institute for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds , Leeds , UK and.
authors.forename: Catriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee , Dundee, Scotland , UK.
authors.forename: Lucina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hackman
authors.affiliation: b Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee , Dundee, Scotland , UK.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011884:Radius / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D012606:Scotland; D013977:Tibia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Forensic anthropology; human identification; humerus; radius; tibia