Epiphyseal fusion at lower end of radius and ulna valuable tool for age determination.

Age estimation is an important task and valuable tool to assist in many civil and criminal procedures, especially in developing countries like India where illiterate population is not aware of the importance of registration of births or the record of registration may not be properly maintained. Physical methods for age estimation are not accurate and eruption of teeth (except third molar) is complete by the age of 16 years. Epiphyseal fusion of long bones is relatively constant in timings and important for age estimation in such cases up to the age of 22 years. This present prospective study is carried out at Forensic Medicine Department of B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad during the year 2009-10 on 104 subjects of either sex with known age from 15-21 years. It was noticed that the epiphyseal fusion at lower end of radius and ulna processes and progresses bilaterally symmetrical, begins at the age of 16-18 years and completes by the end of 20 year. It was further noticed union at lower end of ulna occurs in advance of radius and females show union in advance of male subjects.