Estimation of Age by Bones - Forensics Digest

In our previous post on estimation of age by skull, we learnt about closing times of fontanels and sutures. In this post we will find out how estimation of age by bones is done. Read on.

Epiphyseal fusion, ossification of bones and fusion of joints

The process of bone formation has been explained previously. In a newborn child bones are not in fully developed, they develop as the infant ages through his life. If the radiograph of a newborn child is examined carefully, it can be seen that bones do not occur in their mature shape. Major portions of the bones like condyles, facets, processes, apophyses etc. are not fully developed and if developed, are not in fused state with the rest of the bone. Various joints of the body like shoulder joint, elbow joint, wrist joint, hip joint, knee joint etc. are not fused at the beginning.

Gradually as the infant matures, bones are completely ossified at their epiphyseal and diaphyseal or other ends and joints are also articulated. These processes take place during a particular interval of the individual’s life and hence can be used to ‘estimate’ the age of a person from skeletal remains in the field of forensics. Examination of bones or skeleton as a whole can give an estimate idea of the age, however, the information provided is delimited by the facts that the development and fusion of bones and joints are a subject to vary with environment, population, race, heredity, nutrition, presence of congenital abnormalities or bone diseases. Let us study the ossification time of various bones and joints in the tables below:

Scapula

Name of epiphysis	Fusion
Coracoid epiphysis	Females-15-18 years Males-17-18 years
Glenoid epiphysis	Females-17-20 years Males-19-20 years
Inferior angle	Females-21-22 years Males-19-21 years
Acromial epiphysis	Females-18-21 years Males-19-21 years

Table 1 showing estimate epiphyseal fusion ages of scapula.

Clavicle

Name of epiphysis	Fusion
Secondary epiphysis at the medial end of clavicle	Fusion with medial end-18-25 years Fusion of medial clavicle with rest of the bone-25-31 years It is the last epiphysis to fuse

Table 2 showing time of ossification of clavicle in humans

Humerus

Name of epiphysis/portion of bone	Appearance	Fusion
Head of humerus	1^st year	—
Greater tubercle	2^nd year	—
Lesser tubercle	5^th year	—
Fusion of above three to form conjoint epiphysis	—	By 6 years
Union of conjoint epiphysis with shaft	—	Females-13-17 years Males-16-20 years
Medial epicondyle	—	Females-17-20 years Males-19-20 years
Distal humerus	—	Females-15-18 years Males-17-18 years

Table 3 showing estimate epiphyseal fusion time of humerus

Radius

Name of epiphysis	Fusion
Proximal radius	Females-17-20 years Males-17-20 years
Distal radius	Females-20-23 years Males-21-23 years

Table 4 showing estimate epiphyseal fusion time of radius.

Ulna

Name of epiphysis	Fusion
Proximal ulna	Females-15-17 years Males-16-17 years
Distal ulna	Females-20-22 years Males-20-21 years

Table 5 showing estimate epiphyseal fusion time of ulna.

Femur

Name of epiphysis	Fusion
Proximal end	15.5-19.5 years
Distal end	14.5-19.5 years

Table 6 showing estimate time of epiphyseal fusion in femur.

Tibia

Name of epiphysis	Fusion
Proximal end	14-17 years
Distal end	14.5-19.5 years

Table 7 showing estimate time of epiphyseal fusion in tibia.

Fusion of joints

Name of joint	Fusion
Shoulder joint	Females-17-20 years Males-18-20 years
Elbow joint	Females-17-18 years Males-18-19 years
Wrist joint	Males-19-20 years
Knee joint	Males-17-20 years
Pelvis (fusion of iliac crest and ischial tuberosity with pelvis)	Males-20-22 years

Table 8 showing estimate time of fusion of major joints in humans.

Vertebrae

Name of vertebrae	Fusion
Sacral (5 vertebrae)	Begins by 16-20 years, completely fused by 30 years
Coccygeal (4 vertebrae)	Delayed fusion than that of sacral vertebrae, occurs between 20-30 years

Table 9 showing estimate time of fusion of sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.

Sternum

Name of portion	Fusion
Sternebrae S1 and S2	21-30 years of age
Sternebrae S2 and S3	16-25 years of age
Sternebrae S3 and S4	Completed by 16-20 years
Manubrium and body of sternum	Begins after 40s and completed during 50-60 years of age
Xiphoid process and body of sternum	Begins after 30s and completed during 40-60 years of age