Cameriere’s approach modified for pelvic radiographs: a novel method to assess apophyseal iliac crest ossification for the purpose of forensic age diagnostics

Abstract

According to a modified method originally developed by Cameriere et al. (Int J Legal Med 120:143-146, 2006; J Forensic Sci 52:1151-1155, 2007; Forensic Sci Int 174:59-62, 2008; Forensic Sci Int 174:178-181, 2008; Forensic Sci Int 193:128.e1-128.e6, 2009), the suitability of the iliac crest apophysis (ICA) for the purpose of forensic age estimation in living individuals was investigated by means of area measurements in 643 pelvic radiographs of patients aged between 10 and 30years. The area of the ossification centre(s) of the iliac crest and the area of the iliac wing (IW) were determined by manual segmentation. In 116 cases, area measurements were possible. ICA/IW ratios were calculated and used for regression analyses, yielding different regression equations. Depending on sex, pelvic side and ratio considered, R (2) ranged between 0.20 and 0.38 and the standard error of the estimate, between 1.91 and 2.00years. No statistical significant differences were found between the right and the left pelvic sides. In conclusion, this method is potentially applicable for forensic age estimation in living individuals. However, further studies under more standardised conditions and with higher case numbers are needed in order to decide whether the iliac crest apophysis might become suitable for routine age diagnostics.