Skipping history invites trouble

Age estimation is an integral part of the biological profile employed by Forensic Expert in order to assist in achieving an identification of an unknown deceased individual. Age estimation can be done by several ways like radiological, dental examination and skull suture examination etc. However, in infants, age estimation can be done from radiological and dental examination, pediatric assessment, weight and height estimation. In infants, age estimation is of paramount importance as charge of infanticide comes into play. It is also important for identification purposes.

An infant was referred to Forensic Medicine dept., Govt. Hospital for age estimation, by child welfare committee. On dental and radiological examination along with pediatric assessment, the age of the infant appeared to be 2–3 months, but on taking previous detailed history, we found that the infant was suffering from Downs's syndrome, so as per his clinical history, age was more than our dental and radiological observations. Considering all aspects, his age was given about 1 yr with the margin of error of 2 months on either side. This highlights the importance of history taking for the purpose of age estimation.