Abstract

GARAMENDI, PM.; BOTELLA, MC.; ALEMAN, I.  and  LANDA, MI.. Fusion of clavicle sternal epiphyses in relation to age: Aplications in forensic estimation of age. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2007, n.48-49, pp.143-156. ISSN 1988-611X.

In 2000 the AGFAD published their recommendations about forensic age estimations. They recommended an X ray of the clavicle (collar bone) in cases of subjects between 18 and 21 years of age. We present a study on stages of fusion of clavicle sternal epiphyses in a 123 digital X-rays from a population sample between 5 and 75 years of age. In our research minimum age at which complete fusion was achived (stages 4 or 5 in Schmeling method) has been 19,7 years of chronological age. A review of the medico legal literature about age estimation based on sternal end of the clavicle has been included. It´s pointed out that forensic experts should bear in mind some suggestions when applying AGFAD recommendations to obtain an age estimation based in clavicle X-rays.

Keywords : Collar bone; clavicle; sternal epiphyses; forensic age estimation.

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