Forensic age assessment by 3.0 T MRI of the wrist: adaption of the Vieth classification

Abstract

Objectives In order to find a reliable method to correctly assess majority in both sexes by MRI, a study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the recently presented Vieth classification in wrist MRI, after it had originally been proposed for knee MRI. Methods After receiving a positive vote by the ethics committee, the left-hand wrists of 347 male and 348 female volunteers of German nationality in the age bracket 12–24 years were scanned. Before conducting the prospective, cross-sectional examinations, an informed consent was obtained from each volunteer. A 3.0 T MRI scanner was used, acquiring a T1 turbo spin-echo sequence (TSE) and a T2 TSE sequence with fat suppression by spectral presaturation with inversion recovery (SPIR). The images were assessed by applying the Vieth classification. Minimum, maximum, mean ± standard deviation, and median with lower and upper quartiles were defined. Intra- and interobserver agreements were determined by calculating the kappa coefficients. Differences between the sexes were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results By applying the unmodified Vieth classification with corresponding schematics, it was possible to assess majority in both sexes via the epiphyseal-diaphyseal fusion of the distal radius and in males also via the epiphyseal-diaphyseal fusion of the distal ulna. The Mann-Whitney U test implied significant sex-related differences for all stages. For both epiphyses, the intra- and interobserver agreement levels were very good (κ > 0.8). Conclusion If confirmed by further studies, it would be possible to determine the completion of the 18th year of life in both sexes by 3.0 T MRI of the wrist and using the Vieth classification. Key Points • The Vieth classification allows determining majority in males and females alike based on the distal radius’ epiphysis by 3.0 T MRI of the wrist. • The Vieth classification also allows determining majority in males based on the distal ulna’s epiphysis by 3.0 T MRI of the wrist, but not in females. • The presented data can be deemed referential within certain discussed boundaries.

The distal femoral epiphysis in forensic age diagnostics: studies on the evaluation of the ossification process by means of T1- and PD/T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

“…Then, since its first introduction in 2018, the classification system by Vieth et al [14] has repeatedly been shown to be suitable for determining majority in both sexes when applied to the DFE [14][15][16]. Furthermore, the applicability of this classification system has also been proven for other ossification centers, such as the proximal humeral epiphysis [31], the two wrist epiphyses (distal radius and ulna) [32], and the proximal tibial epiphysis [14][15][16][17].…”

Ossification pursue of the lower ends of radius and ulna and age determination in a sample of Egyptian population between 12 and 19 years

“…Broadly speaking, the fusion between the distal ends of both bones and their shafts begins in females at the age of thirteen or fourteen years, and in males at the age of fifteen or sixteen years (Hassan et al, 2016;Ottow et al, 2022). The distal ends of both bones completely fuse with their shafts at the age of the seventeenth year in females and the eighteenth to the nineteenth year in males.…”