Evaluation of distal femoral epiphysis and proximal tibial epiphysis ossification using the Vieth method in living individuals: applicability in the estimation of forensic age

Magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal tibial epiphysis is suitable for statements as to the question of majority: a validation study in forensic age diagnostics

“…However, it has to be emphasized that T2 sequences with fat saturation are necessary in order to determine Vieth stages. Our observations are in line with two other recent studies that also retrospectively applied the classification system by Vieth et al [18] to MRI of the knee joint in two Turkish study populations [20,21]. As also stated by Saint-Martin et al (2015) [22] as well as by Gurses and Altinsoy (2020) [20], we likewise obtained similar results with MR image material from 1.5 T and 3.0 T scanners, and we were able to identify all relevant structures required for stage determinations despite the fact that T2-TSE SPIR sequences were not available.…”

“…The present study corroborated the suitability of the statistical data for the PTE shown in the original study by Vieth et al [18]. Furthermore, our data are also in line with the first subsequent studies from Turkey [20,21]. In male individuals, which by far account for the most frequent group in forensic age estimation practice, the age of majority can be determined when stage 6 is present.…”

“…The data of the present study corroborated that, at least in male individuals, MRI of the PTE is suitable to determine majority when using the classification system by Vieth et al [ 18 ]. Although we observed minimum ages for stage 6 above the age of 18 years in both sexes (20.27 years in males and 18.55 years in females), we are aware that, especially with regard to forensic age estimation practice, both the original study by Vieth et al [ 18 ] and the two above-mentioned Turkish studies [ 20 , 21 ] have already found minimum ages for stage 6 in females below the age of 18 years. Thus, our results are not in contradiction with the previous data.…”

“…Besides the limitations, the present study has also some noteworthy strengths. Unlike the other two subsequent studies from Turkey [ 20 , 21 ], which both stated a lack of information on the socio-economic status of their study patients, a high socio-economic status of the present Central German study cohort can be assumed because the vast majority of the subjects can be considered part of a Western Caucasian population. This is of great relevance because, as also stated by Vieth et al [ 18 ], it is well known from earlier studies [ 24 , 25 ] that the Western Caucasian ethnicity with high socio-economic status displays the fastest progression of skeletal maturation.…”

“…Another strength is the relatively even distribution of our study subjects across age groups and sexes, which was not the case in the two Turkish studies [ 20 , 21 ]. However, both an even age distribution and data on the reference population (regarding genetic/geographic origin) and socio-economic status, respectively, belong to the AGFAD criteria required for reference studies in forensic age estimation [ 3 ].…”