Age estimation in the Thai male population using epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle

Abstract

Objectives To study the relationship between the union of the epiphyseal plate of the medial clavicle and age in the Thai male population. Methods Age-at-death estimation was evaluated from clavicles obtained from 200 cadavers of Thai males aged between 11 and 35 years. After soft tissue removal, the fusion status of the medial clavicular epiphysis was classified using a morphological classification. Stages of the epiphyseal union were categorized as follows: 1) nonunion with no epiphyses, 2) nonunion with separate epiphyses, 3) partial union, and 4) complete union. Results The stage of development of the epiphyseal union increased with age. The nonunion stage was found in indivi-duals up to 22 years old. Complete epiphyseal union was found as early as age 22. Partial union was found in individuals 19-26 years old. Conclusions The stage of the epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle in Thai males is related to age. We recommend using complete union (stage 4) of epiphyseal development to indicate age more than 22 years and nonunion (stage 1 and 2) to represent age less than 22 years in Thai males.

Convolutional neural network of age-related trends digital radiographs of medial clavicle in a Thai population: a preliminary study

“…Physiologically, our bodies balance between bone degenerative process and remodeling process which the latter decreases as we age [ 13 ]. This results in increase porosity and decrease bone mass in elderly [ 19 ]. In our settings, using anatomical landmarks on radiographs to mark region of interest such as costoclavicular ligament [ 18 ] was not accomplished due to technical limitations and radiographs quality.…”

“…Currently, clavicle is used in age estimation by observing gross appearance of epiphyseal plate closure separating into 4 stages (Webb and Suchey classification) by using completeness of epiphyseal union. However, even though it is very accurate, it could only estimate age in adolescents and young adult (15–29 years old in Thai population) [ 19 ]. The Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forensische Altersdiagnostik (AGFAD), recommended that the medial clavicular epiphyses using the radiographic images are one of the evidence to determine for adulthood legal age estimation [ 18 , 20 , 21 ] while estimation in other age range is still in debate [ 22 ].…”

Forensic age-at-death estimation using the sternal junction in Thai adults: an autopsy study

“…In adults, age estimation focuses not only on bone degeneration but also the appearance and fusion of the ossification centers of the bones [ 2 ]. Several regions of the body have been studied to make the most accurate age estimation, such as pubic symphysis, auricular surface, cranial suture, sternal end of the rib, and medial end of the clavicle [ 3 - 8 ]. In the Thai population, the sternum has been used for estimating stature [ 9 ].…”