Age determination in girls of Jodhpur Region by epiphyseal union of bones at ankle joint.

ABSTRACT

There is no statistical data to establish variation in epiphyseal fusion in Western Rajasthan populations. This significant oversight can lead to exclusion of persons of interest in a forensic investigation. Epiphyseal fusion of the distal tibia and fibula in sixty females was analyzed on radiological basis to assess the range of variation of epiphyseal fusion at each age. In the study the X ray films of the subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of degree of fusion. Firstly, those which were showing No Epiphyseal Fusion (N), secondly those showing Partial Union (P), and thirdly those showing Complete Fusion (C). Observations made were compared with the previous studies. Results indicate that complete fusion in females occurs as early as 14 years in the distal tibia and fibula. All females demonstrated complete fusion by 19 years with no significant differences between ancestral groups.