Forensic Age Estimation Through Sonographic Evaluation of Apophyseal Ossification of the Iliac Crest Among Egyptian Subjects

Background and Aim: Forensic age estimation of living individuals is a recent focus of scientific interest. Ultrasonographic examination of the hip is a safe and cost-effective method for assessment of skeletal age. Ultrasonography of the iliac bone apophysis and distal radial epiphysis is a useful and highly acceptable tool for bone age determination. The purpose of this study was to determine the forensic applicability of ultrasound evaluation of the apophyseal ossification of the iliac crest among Egyptian subject for age assessment. Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out on sonographic images of iliac crests of 110 Egyptian subjects (45 females and 65 males, age range: 10-23 years). The individual stage of apophyseal ossification of the left iliac crest was determined with reference to the definition of the four stages of clavicular ossification according to Schulz et al. Results: The mean values of the subjects’ chronological age increase with progressive ossification stage. The minimum age for ossification stage I was 13.6 years in boys; ossification stage I could not be established in any of the female subjects of this study group. The earliest observation of ossification stage II was at a chronological age of 14.3 years in males and 11.5 years in females. Ossification stage III first occurred at the age of 16.4 years in males and 15.4 years in females. The earliest age of occurrence of ossification stage IV was at least 18.2 years in males and at least 17.3 years in females. Conclusion: Sonographic examination of the iliac crest apophysis can become established as a valid and efficient method for forensic age diagnostics in living individuals.