Age identification in Egyptian children by mandibular dimensions. A comparative radiological study with bones of the hand and wrist

ABSTRACT

One of the major problems in forensic science is personal identification of living persons, dead corpses or skeletal remains. A number of techniques exist for age estimation, depending upon the material available for analysis and the maturation stage that the individual had reached at the time of his / her demise. The current methods of children and young adults aging, are based on dental eruption, long bones length and bones of the wrist have their limitations. The mandible may provide an accessible and accurate tool for estimation of age, due to its dense nature and unique shape. The objectives: The objectives of this study are; to assess the reliability of the mandible as a tool for age estimation, to develop an equation specific for Egyptian children obtained from their mandibular dimensions, and to compare the age estimated from their mandibles with age estimated from their bones of the hand and wrist region. Subject and methods: This study was carried out on standardized X-ray of the mandible and bones of the hand and wrist for 50 Egyptian children [consent has been taken from their guardians]. Seven measurements were applied to each mandible [Length of the Mandibular Body [LB], Full Length of Half the Mandible [LHM], Height of the Mandibular Body [HM], Minimum Ramus Breadth [MiRB], Maximum Ramus Breadth [MxRB], Maximum Ramus Height [MxRH], Gonial Angle [GA]]. The estimated age from mandibles was compared with that estimated from primary ossification centers of the bones of the hand and wrist. All mandibular measurements showed significant statistical values except for the gonial angle [GA]. Regression analysis on the measurements was done and two equations for age determination were obtained The first depends on the mandibular body variants mainly [in case of partial erosion of ramus] as follows Y = -12.72 + [2.19 x LB] + [0.23 x LHM] + [0.85 x HM] Y = age in years, LB [length of the body of the mandible], LHM [full length of half the mandible] and HM [height of the mandibular body]. The mean error was 0.065 year. The second equation was applied if the mandible as a whole was intact Y = -12.73 + [2.21 x LB] + [0.86 x HM] + [1.097 x MiRB] Y = age in years, LB [length of the body of the mandible], HM [height of the mandibular body], Mi RB [Minimum ramus breadth]. The mean error was 0.02 year. Age was estimated from X-ray of the wrist and hand then, compared to age estimated from mandibular equations, where the last method was more accurate. The mandibular equations can be used for accurate age estimation in Egyptian children