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Warrier V, Shedge R, Garg PK, Dixit SG, Krishan K, Kanchan T. Applicability of the six-phase method for auricular age estimation in an Indian population: A CT-based study. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2023:258024231206864. [PMID: 37822227 DOI: 10.1177/00258024231206864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Age estimation plays a crucial role in human identification. Amongst numerous age markers located throughout the skeletal framework, the auricular surface of the ilium presents as a resilient structure, with different methods for auricular age estimation currently in practice. Amongst these methods, the Osborne method is believed to permit accurate age estimation through its use of robust age categories and discrete phase descriptors. The present study aimed to assess the applicability of the Osborne method in an Indian population through a computed tomographic (CT) examination of the auricular surface, an aspect presently unreported. In order to do so, CT scans of 380 individuals were collected and evaluated using the Osborne method. A CT-based examination indicated that surface texture described by Osborne is difficult to appreciate through 3D CT images. Indistinct definitions associated with certain features, and the mosaic display of features within each phase further prevents applying the method effectively. Overall accuracy percentages of 99.47% and 98.90% were obtained using the method in males and females, respectively, with corresponding inaccuracy values of 10.10 years and 9.04 years. Significantly reduced accuracy percentages were obtained with alternate, more robust age brackets presented within the original study, demonstrating the limited reliability associated with the method. Inaccuracy and bias values computed for each decade indicate the relative utility of the method in aging 40-59-year-old individuals. Low accuracy percentages, high error rates and different methodological hindrances encountered within the present study illustrate the limited applicability of the Osborne method in aging an Indian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Warrier
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Rutwik Shedge
- School of Forensic Sciences, National Forensic Sciences University, Tripura, India
| | - Pawan Kumar Garg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Shilpi Gupta Dixit
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
| | - Kewal Krishan
- Department of Anthropology, (UGC Centre of Advanced Study), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India
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Warrier V, Shedge R, Kumar Garg P, Gupta Dixit S, Krishan K, Kanchan T. Applicability of the Calce method for age estimation in an Indian population: A clinical CT-based study. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 59:102113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Warrier V, Kanchan T, Garg PK, Dixit SG, Krishan K, Shedge R. CT-based evaluation of the acetabulum for age estimation in an Indian population. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:785-795. [PMID: 35001167 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Age estimation constitutes an important aspect of forensic research, investigation and human identification. For the purpose of age estimation, various markers within the skeletal framework are employed. Degenerative morphological changes in the skeleton can be used for age estimation in adults. Amongst the various bones, age-progressive changes in the innominate bone are of particular significance in age estimation. Within the pelvis, the acetabulum presents as a durable and well-preserved evidence, characteristic manifestations of which can be employed for age estimation. The present study aimed at a CT-based evaluation of acetabular changes for the purpose of age estimation in an Indian population. CT images of 250 individuals aged 10-88 years were scrutinized according to the features defined in the Calce method of acetabular age estimation. Scores were allotted to the various features and a cumulative score was calculated. No significant bilateral and sex differences were observed. Significant correlation was obtained between the scores for these defined characteristics and the chronological age of individuals. Population-specific regression models were generated for age estimation. The scoring method devised in the present research requires further validation as it represents a new tool for age estimation in medico-legal cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Warrier
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005.
| | - Pawan Kumar Garg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
| | - Shilpi Gupta Dixit
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
| | - Kewal Krishan
- Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, 160014
| | - Rutwik Shedge
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India, 342005
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Age estimation based on the acetabulum using global illumination rendering with computed tomography. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1923-1934. [PMID: 33713164 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The acetabulum has been reported as a reliable age estimation marker. However, analyzing its morphological changes can be challenging using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Newly introduced global illumination rendering (GIR) applied to CT can improve the visualization of the fine details and thus the method's performance. This study aimed to analyze age estimation using morphological features of the acetabulum using GIR applied to CT. METHODS We collected 200 postmortem CT scans. A segmentation of the acetabular joint was initially done. Then, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the images was performed using GIR. These images were saved and then analyzed by two operators based on the three morphological criteria described in the Rougé-Maillart method. Reproducibility was assessed by intraclass correlation (ICC). Age estimation was assessed by multiple linear regression. RESULTS The sample was composed of 155 males and 45 females, with a mean age of 50 ± 18.3 years old. We observed high agreement in both the inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility for the three variables (ICC of 75.6 to 90.8% and 89.3 to 95.8%, respectively) and the total score (ICC of 93.5% and 95%, respectively). The three variables, as well as the total score, were significantly correlated with age groups. The total score showed a prediction rate higher than 85% for ages under 40 and over 70 years old. We identified three models with two validated models with an adjusted R2 of 85.6% and 84.8%, respectively; a standard error of 0.688 and 0.706, respectively; and a good correlation of all variables and no inter-correlation. The first validated model included the three morphological criteria scores, and the second model was based on the total score. CONCLUSION GIR applied to CT provides photorealistic images that can be useful for forensic imaging intended for age estimation based on morphological methods.
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Ferreira MT, Coelho C, Makhoul C, Navega D, Gonçalves D, Cunha E, Curate F. New data about the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection (University of Coimbra, Portugal). Int J Legal Med 2020; 135:1087-1094. [PMID: 32857278 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02399-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
After the publication of the first article in 2014, 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection, housed in the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Department of Life Sciences at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, has been growing. Currently, the collection is composed of 302 complete adult skeletons of both sexes, which means that in 5 years it has doubled. The collection consists mostly of elderly individuals, with only 12.25% of the individuals aged less than 61 years old. All individuals are Portuguese nationals who died between 1982 and 2012. Ninety individuals exhibit prostheses, other medical devices and signs of surgical procedures. Moreover, a sub-collection of experimentally burned skeletons is under development, and currently includes 56 individuals (18.54% of the collection). The 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection constitutes a fundamental tool for forensic anthropology research, including the development and validation studies of methods that focus on elderly individuals, as can be ascertained by the numerous scientific publications and academic scholarship that have been produced in previous years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Catarina Coelho
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Calil Makhoul
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - David Navega
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - David Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Archaeosciences Laboratory (LARC/CIBIO/InBIO), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Cunha
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, IP., Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Curate
- Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
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