Age Determination by Gross and Radiological Aspect of Sternum

Now a day, determination of age and sex of skeleton remains or of advanced decomposed body is an important task for the Forensic Expert to help in the investigation of concern case. There are many criteria for determining age like secondary sexual characteristics, dental status, appearance and fusion of ossification centre of bones, various skull sutures. The relationship between age and degree of fusion between manubrium & mesosternum, sternal segments, Xiphoid process with mesosternum were studied in 116 cases at New Civil Hospital, Surat. Gross finding of fusion is compared with radiological findings. The study group comprised (65.5%) male & (34.5%) female. In majority of the cases, gross finding regarding fusion of sternum were observed and which were confirmed by radiological aspect. The gross finding shows early fusion as compared to radiological findings. Study also shows sternal segments fused in between ages of 21–30 yrs, Xiphoid process shows fusion at the age of 40 yrs and manubrium fused at late advanced ages.