Age estimation by multidetector CT images of the sagittal suture

Abstract

Closure of cranial sutures progresses with age; therefore, macroscopic assessment of cranial sutures has been used as one method of age estimation. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), which many forensic medical departments and institutes have begun to adopt, has the potential to simplify the gathering of information from cranial sutures for both surface and cross-sectional evaluation. To examine the feasibility of age estimation by cross-sectional multidetector computed tomography images of the sagittal suture, PMCT findings of 125 subjects of known age and sex were retrospectively reviewed. The sagittal suture was divided into four segments, and 20 cross-sectional slices from each segment were analyzed. These slices were each categorized by visual evaluation into one of the seven stages defined by Harth et al. according to the degree of closure. The mean stage value of 20 slices was calculated for each segment. We were able to evaluate cross-sectional images of the sagittal suture by PMCT, and a positive correlation between age and closure degree was observed. Despite the prediction interval achieved with this method not being superior to traditional macroscopic or flat-panel CT assessment, multidetector CT is a potentially useful tool, in conjunction with other methods, for age estimation, particularly in adult females and in cases where only a skull is the sole remain.

Virtual anthropology: useful radiological tools for age assessment in clinical forensic medicine and thanatology

“…Some other methods defined with MSCT may also be helpful, such as the appearance of the trabecular bone of the auricular surface, the right first rib and the clavicle [54,55,62,67]. Some authors have shown the potential value of time of closure of the cranial sutures for age estimation [68].…”

Stature estimation in Japanese cadavers based on scapular measurements using multidetector computed tomography

“…We recently assessed the relationship between stature and pelvic bone measurements using MDCT and developed regression equations to estimate stature in a modern Japanese population; we obtained comparatively low SEE values (male 3.72-5.14 cm; female 5.02-5.57 cm) [14]. In addition, other researchers reported that image analysis of bones in a CT sample is useful for age estimation and superimposition [30][31][32]. Because digital CT images can be permanently stored in little or no physical space, repeated measurements can be performed even after autopsy, resulting in an effective increase in intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility [33].…”

Statistical analysis of biomechanical properties of the adult sagittal suture using a bending method in a Japanese forensic sample

“…In addition, the present study revealed that the bending strength of the middle sagittal suture becomes significantly stronger with age in only female samples. Chiba et al [39] reported a sex difference in the correlation between degree of closure and age, with a stronger correlation in women than in men. Although the origin of these sex differences is not clear, the possible role of estrogen cannot be disregarded.…”

“…The difference in the correlation of the bending strength with age between the sagittal suture and parietal bones may result from the progress of suture closure. Rice [38] reported that the bones comprising the suture are generally of intramembranous origin and grow by ossification at the suture margin, and Chiba et al [39] reported that cranial suture closure progresses with age, even in adults. Therefore, the bending strength of the adult sagittal suture might increase with progression of the suture's fusion.…”