Analysis of the Relationship between Radiological Age Determination, Total Fusion Score Distribution, Age Distribution From X Rays of Knee and Pelvis

Determining age is crucial in various civil and criminal proceedings, such as identification, consent, criminal accountability, medical assessments, will validity, reaching adulthood, kidnapping, sexual assault, illegal abortion, sports, and more.^[1] The human bones grow from various ossification centers, and through radiological examination of these epiphyseal centers, we can estimate an individual’s approximate age.^[2] In this study, we focused on the age group of 17 to 19 years, analyzing their knee and pelvic joints.

To evaluate the determination of radiological age through the distribution of total fusion scores and the assessment of age from knee and pelvis images in relation to birth certificates for individuals aged 17 to 19 years using digital X-rays.

This observational cross section study was carried out at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government medical college, Kota. It included 100 participants of both sexes who gave consent for the study and fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

In this study, the participant pool was intentionally balanced with 50 male and 50 female subjects, ensuring equal representation. The statistical summary disclosed a mean age of 17.94 years. The standard deviation of 0.83 signifies a moderately close grouping of age values in relation to the mean, indicating limited variability.

The present study gives important evidence supporting the accuracy and utility of radiological age estimation using epiphyseal fusion scoring for knee joint and pelvis in Indian adolescents. Geographical boundaries, narrow age range, moderate sample size, and reliance on radiographs limit the generalizability and depth of the findings.