Study of Ossification Centres Fusion of Elbow Joint in 15 to 17 Years Garhwali Females of Dehradun Region

Age estimation in the living is one of the most important tasks of a Forensic practitioner especially in developing countries where birth records are often not well-maintained. The age between 15 to 17 years is very important medico-legally especially in the females, it is important to differentiate between 14–15 yrs in employment and 17 to 18 in connection with Hindu marriage Act. X-ray study of epiphysis of bones has traditionally been used for age estimation by observing the ossification centers. On the other hand, Ultrasonography is a much safer, effective and non invasive procedure. The study was carried out between 2011 and 2014 on 100 female patients of Garhwali origin. The age of the subjects was from 15 to 17 years which was verified from date of birth certificate. The main focus of the present study was to find out the age of fusion of ossification centers in the upper ends of radius & ulna, and lower end of humerus. In order to narrow down the range of age an attempt has been made to undertake this study by means of Ultrasonography. During the study, encouraging results were discovered.