Abstract
Background The expert opinions on forensic age diagnostics requested by state institutions are
used to show the exceeding of legally relevant age thresholds, especially the completed
18th year of life. According to the recommendations of the Study Group on Forensic Age
Diagnostics (AGFAD), this requires – among other things – a determination of skeletal
age.
Method Considering recent scientific knowledge, the current conditions and established skeletal
age diagnostics methods are presented. Additionally, this review article sheds light
on the influence of ethnicity and socioeconomic status, questions regarding indication,
as well as alternative and future developments.
Results and Conclusion In forensic age diagnostics, particularly hand radiography and thin-slice CT of the
medial clavicular epiphysis are relevant for determining skeletal age. The Atlas method
of Greulich and Pyle (1959) and the clavicular stages by Schmeling et al. (2004) and
Kellinghaus et al. (2010) are primarily used for this. This spectrum of methods, which
is based on a very solid database, might be supplemented by MRI studies of the knee
joint in the near future.
Key Points:
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Determining skeletal age is an essential part of forensic age diagnostics commissioned
by state authorities and courts.
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Hand radiography and CT of the medial clavicular epiphysis form the core of the spectrum
of methods recommended by the Study Group of Forensic Age Diagnostics (AGFAD).
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Since the radiological studies required for forensic age diagnostics are not medically
indicated, it must be ensured that the legal basis is specifically named in each case
when commissioning expert opinions.
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MRI studies of the knee joint might increase the spectrum of methods in the near future.
Citation Format
Key words
forensic age diagnostics - skeletal age - ossification stages - forensics
