title: Apophyseal Ossification of the Iliac Crest in Forensic Age Estimation: Computed Tomography Standards for Modern Australian Subadults.
abstract: This study contrasts the ontogeny of the iliac crest apophysis using conventional radiography and multislice computed tomography (MSCT), providing probabilistic information for age estimation of modern Australian subadults. Retrospective abdominopelvic MSCT data acquired from 524 Australian individuals aged 7-25 and surveillance radiographs of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients included in the Paediatric Spine Research Group Progression Study (n = 531) were assessed. Ossification scoring of pseudo-radiographs and three-dimensional (3D) volume-rendered reconstructions using Risser (1958) quantitative descriptors indicate discrepancies in age estimates, stage allocation, and conflicting morphological progression. To mitigate visualization limitations associated with two-dimensional radiographs, we provide and validate a modified 3D-MSCT scoring tier of ossification, demonstrating complete fusion between 17.3-19.2 and 17.1-20.1 years in males and females. Legal demarcation for doli incapax presumption and age of majority (18 years) can be achieved using probability estimates from a fitted cumulative probit model for apophyseal fusion using the recalibrated standards.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicolene
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8755-7757
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lottering
authors.affiliation: Social and Behavioural Research College, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD, 4122, Australia.
authors.forename: Clair L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Alston-Knox
authors.affiliation: Skeletal Biology and Forensic Anthropology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Spine Research Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, and Mater Health Services, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Maree T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Izatt
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Spine Research Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, and Mater Health Services, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Spine Research Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, and Mater Health Services, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Clayton J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Skeletal Biology and Forensic Anthropology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Laura S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Risser score; forensic anthropology; forensic science; iliac crest apophysis; radiological standards; subadult age estimation; transition analysis