Estimation of age by epiphyseal union at the lower end of radius and ulna by x-ray examination in western Uttar Pradesh population

The estimation of a specific age group is practically becoming of the highest relevance in medicolegal cases due to altering drifts and modernization in nearly all facets of humanity overall and India in specific. Criminal responsibility, which depends on an individual’s age, functions as the sole basis for crime and punishment under the law. In forensic practice, it is customarily important to identify both the living and the dead for several reasons. Identification is done using several factors. The determination of an individual’s age is one such criterion. Age can be calculated by general examination, examination of secondary sexual character development, dental examination and radiological examination. Among radiological examination, different bones are chosen as per the case for determination of age. In this study we have chosen lower end of radius and ulna for estimation of age in Western Uttar Pradesh population.

In present study, an attempt is made to estimate the age by X-ray examination of the epiphyseal fusion at the lower end of the radius and ulna and to know the difference in the fusion of the epiphysis among males and females.

This is a prospective study between age group 15 to 21 years (100 males and 100 female genders) were studied for estimation of age. Radiographs of radius and ulna at wrist were taken. with valid age proof and study was conducted in Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & research Hospital, Moradabad carried out over 18 months, from July 2020 to December 2022. Age was estimated by criteria of union, as Degree 0 means nonunion, Degree 1 means union commenced, Degree 2 means incomplete union and Degree 3 means complete union.

In this study, maximum participants from males (30) belonged to age group 17 -18 years and maximum participants from females (25) belonged to age group 17-18 years and 18-19 years both. Lower end of radius among males examination shows maximum participants showing degree 0 (nonunion) belong to age group 15-16 years while degree 1 belong to age group 1516 and 16-17 years & degree 2 was seen in age group 1718 years and degree 3 seen in 18-19 & 20-21 years. Similarly, lower end of radius for females and lower end of ulna for males and females studied showing different degree of union.

In the study, interpretation of X-rays was classified into 4 groups -Degree 0, Degree 1, Degree 2, and Degree 3, based on union at radius and ulna lower end. Our research reveals that the epiphyseal ends of ulna and radius did not fuse in males before the group of 17 to 18 years. The epiphyseal end of the ulna and the radius in females did not fuse until age range of 16-17 years and neither did the epiphyseal end of the radius. After the age of 18 to 19 years, the distal end of the radius exhibited full fusion in all males and in all males over the age of 18 to 19, the distal end of the ulna displayed full fusion. Additionally, all females above the age of 17-18 years had completely fused distal ends of their radius. The distal end of the ulna in all females demonstrated full fusion after the age group of 18 to 19 years. Thus, it may be inferred that full fusion of ulna and radius lower ends occurs in males following the age group of 18 to 19 years at a nearly simultaneous rate. However, in females, the distal ends of the radius and ulna fuse completely at different times.