Abstract
This presentation will showcase updated imaging-specific growth and developmental data for the knee complex using a multivariable statistical approach, in a modern Australian population. The limitations of antiquated radiograph reference standards and impact of population variation on age estimates will be demonstrated through intra-and-inter-population
comparisons.
The estimation of skeletal age in forensic anthropology practice has important
applications to medico-legal investigations. Understanding skeletal growth and development trends may assist in determining the age of unidentified human remains or age assessment in living individuals who lack documentation. This study aimed to document knee ossification timings in 1,200 subadults aged 8-22 years, using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans acquired from Queensland Children’s Hospital (QLD), Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital (SA) and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIC). Thin-slice data for each individual was cropped to the region of interest and viewed using multi-planar reconstructions in a DICOM viewer. An ordinal stage-based scoring approach was applied to score the development of 11 skeletal indicators of the femur, tibia and fibula, inspired by definitions provided in O’Connor et al1 and Roche et al2. Three scoring systems were used: a three-stage system for morphological development, a four-stage system for long-bone epiphyseal capping, and a five-stage system for epiphyseal union of the fibula, composite distal femur and proximal tibia. The protocol indicated high levels of repeatability, evidenced by good-to-excellent inter-and-intra-rater agreement (ICC: 0.96-1.0) for all indicators. Transition analysis was conducted to elicit maximum likelihood estimates for maturation across each stage, and age parameters were established with a multivariable Bayesian model in R.
Preliminary results indicate that the appearance of non-epiphyseal maturity indicators commence between 9-10.5 years of age in males, and complete development before 22 years. Long-bone epiphyseal union commenced between 8.5 to 13.5 years and was complete as young as 16 years in males. Sexual dimorphism onset of development supports existing literature, with non-epiphyseal maturity indicators appearing from 8 years and complete fusion
of the epiphyses recorded from 15 years. This study constitutes the first to employ nonstandard maturity indicators and standard epiphyseal growth plate sites, on three- dimensional structural imaging, to develop a multivariable, multi-indicator age estimation model using a Bayesian statistical approach.
This presentation will also discuss similar developmental trajectories noted between living and postmortem data of the same population, while comparison to a matched United States population (n=478, aged 8 to 23) refutes error attributed to population variation.
comparisons.
The estimation of skeletal age in forensic anthropology practice has important
applications to medico-legal investigations. Understanding skeletal growth and development trends may assist in determining the age of unidentified human remains or age assessment in living individuals who lack documentation. This study aimed to document knee ossification timings in 1,200 subadults aged 8-22 years, using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans acquired from Queensland Children’s Hospital (QLD), Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital (SA) and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIC). Thin-slice data for each individual was cropped to the region of interest and viewed using multi-planar reconstructions in a DICOM viewer. An ordinal stage-based scoring approach was applied to score the development of 11 skeletal indicators of the femur, tibia and fibula, inspired by definitions provided in O’Connor et al1 and Roche et al2. Three scoring systems were used: a three-stage system for morphological development, a four-stage system for long-bone epiphyseal capping, and a five-stage system for epiphyseal union of the fibula, composite distal femur and proximal tibia. The protocol indicated high levels of repeatability, evidenced by good-to-excellent inter-and-intra-rater agreement (ICC: 0.96-1.0) for all indicators. Transition analysis was conducted to elicit maximum likelihood estimates for maturation across each stage, and age parameters were established with a multivariable Bayesian model in R.
Preliminary results indicate that the appearance of non-epiphyseal maturity indicators commence between 9-10.5 years of age in males, and complete development before 22 years. Long-bone epiphyseal union commenced between 8.5 to 13.5 years and was complete as young as 16 years in males. Sexual dimorphism onset of development supports existing literature, with non-epiphyseal maturity indicators appearing from 8 years and complete fusion
of the epiphyses recorded from 15 years. This study constitutes the first to employ nonstandard maturity indicators and standard epiphyseal growth plate sites, on three- dimensional structural imaging, to develop a multivariable, multi-indicator age estimation model using a Bayesian statistical approach.
This presentation will also discuss similar developmental trajectories noted between living and postmortem data of the same population, while comparison to a matched United States population (n=478, aged 8 to 23) refutes error attributed to population variation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1-1 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Nov 2023 |
| Event | 23rd Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences - 2023 - Sydney International Convention Centre , Sydney, Australia Duration: 20 Nov 2023 → 24 Nov 2023 Conference number: 23 |
Conference
| Conference | 23rd Triennial Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences - 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IAFS 2023 |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Sydney |
| Period | 20/11/23 → 24/11/23 |
| Other | This landmark event, which drew over 1,700 delegates from 70 countries, including 20 scholarship recipients from low to middle-income nations, stands as a pinnacle in the history of forensic science conferences. The scientific program featured four compelling plenary sessions, ten parallel breakout sessions spanning 22 disciplines, nearly 600 electronic posters, and 25 pre-conference workshops. Additionally, there were eight industry-led workshops (including AFP transdisciplinary workshops), “Where to from here” mini-summits, and numerous special events, including a forum dedicated to the Sydney Declaration, co-hosted by the University of Technology Sydney and the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences. |
