Forensic age diagnostics by magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal humeral epiphysis

Abstract

The most commonly used radiological method for age estimation of living individuals is X-ray. Computed tomography is not commonly used due to high radiation exposure, which raises ethical concerns. This problem can be solved with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which avoids the use of ionizing radiation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of MRI analysis of the proximal humeral epiphyses for forensic age estimations of living individuals. In this study, 395 left proximal humeral epiphyses (patient age 12-30 years) were evaluated with fast-spinecho proton density-weighted image (FSE PD) sequences in a coronal oblique orientation on shoulder MRI images. A five-stage scoring system was used following the method of Dedouit et al. The intra-and interobserver reliabilities assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic were κ = 0.818 and κ = 0.798, respectively. According to this study, stage five first appeared at 20 and 21 years of age in males and females, respectively. These results are not directly comparable to any other published study due to the lack of MRI data on proximal humeral head development. These findings may provide valuable information for legally important age thresholds using shoulder MRI. The current study demonstrates that MRI of the proximal humerus can support forensic age estimation. Further research is needed to establish a standardized protocol that can be applied worldwide.

Forensic age estimation based on fast spin-echo proton density (FSE PD)–weighted MRI of the distal radial epiphysis

“…However, one of the main limitations of the Dedouit method is the difficulty of determining whether the cartilage thickness is 1.5 mm. Although the intra-and interobserver error was low in this and previous studies [23,25,30], this can create difficulties for the observer. It may also be impossible to determine how much of the hyperintense area is affected by possible artifacts.…”

“…FSE PD MRI of the knee was used to establish a staging system for age estimation. The Dedouit staging system is based on hyaline cartilage development, and its accuracy and utility have been demonstrated in the context of FSE PD and T2-weighted MRI of the proximal tibia, distal femur, and proximal humerus epiphyses [ 23 , 25 , 30 ]. This methodology provided different minimum age limits to those of T1-weighted MRI studies, for the same epiphyseal areas [ 24 , 26 – 28 , 35 ].…”

“…1, S5). [23,30]. However, there have been no age estimation studies based on FSE PD MRI evaluation of the distal radius epiphysis.…”

“…Studies have assessed different epiphyseal areas using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For example, both modalities have been used to evaluate the development of distal radial epiphysis [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]; other studies have assessed the utility of measurements performed in the knee, ankle, elbow, clavicle, proximal humerus, and iliac crest [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

Avaliação dos métodos de estimativa de idade de Cameriere e Willems em radiografias panorâmicas de indivíduos brasileiros

“…Os métodos esqueléticos são feitos pela avaliação do crescimento dos centros de ossificação até a finalização com a fusão das epífises e das diáfises, como por exemplo, a ossificação do osso carpo e metacarpo e da união epifisária das falanges por meio de radiografias do punho e mão esquerdos (CARVALHO et al, 2010;SANTORO et al, 2009). Outros ossos também são muito utilizados para estimar a idade de um indivíduo, como ocorre com os diferentes períodos de fusão das suturas cranianas (COSTA, 2002;SHEDGE;KANCHAN, 2019) e a completa soldadura da epífise proximal do úmero (EKIZOGLU et al, 2019). , 1999;SCHMELING et al, 2007).…”