Forensic age estimation of living individuals: a retrospective analysis.

Authors :: Santoro V
De Donno A
Marrone M
Campobasso CP
Introna F
Source :: Forensic science international [Forensic Sci Int] 2009 Dec 15; Vol. 193 (1-3), pp. 129.e1-4. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Oct 22.
Publication Year :: 2009
Abstract: In recent years, skeletal age determination has become increasingly important in criminal investigations for determining the age of living individuals. To increase diagnostic accuracy, a physical examination, an X-ray examination of the left hand, as well as a dental examination including the determination of the dental status and an X-ray of the dentition should always be performed. In this work, the authors analyze a sample of 52 illegal immigrants who came under their observation in the period from May 1989 to September 2007. A statistical analysis of the results of dental and skeletal age estimations was performed as well as an analysis between the reported and assessed ages. The results showed a significant difference between reported age and assessed biological age (p<0.001); however, no statistical difference was shown between skeletal and assessed dental age (p=0.431).