Skeletal age estimation based on medial clavicle--a test of the method reliability

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Human Osteology
• Age Estimation

Background:

• Epiphyseal age indicators become unreliable after the twenties.
• The medial clavicle, with its prolonged growth period, is a potential indicator for later-life age assessment.
• Population-specific methods are crucial for accurate age estimation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of morphological, radiological, and histological analyses of the medial clavicle for age assessment in individuals over 20 years old.
• To establish population-specific age indicators for the Balkan region, specifically the Serbian population.
• To identify age- and sex-related features for improved accuracy in forensic and anthropological age estimation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of medial clavicular specimens from 67 contemporary Serbian individuals (20-90 years old).
• Morphological examination of epiphyseal union, rib notch, and articular surface.
• Histological analysis of trabecular bone microarchitecture (bone volume fraction, minimum trabecular width).

Main Results:

• Identified age-dependent morphological features: epiphyseal union timing, rib notch lipping, articular surface exostoses, and bone overgrowths.
• Highlighted microscopic features (trabecular bone volume fraction, minimum trabecular width) as age-distinctive.
• Determined significant sex differences in epiphyseal union, morphology of the rib notch and articular surface, and microscopic features.

Conclusions:

• Morphological and histological features of the medial clavicle are reliable indicators for age estimation in the Serbian population, particularly beyond the twenties.
• The identified age- and sex-related traits provide valuable supplementary data for forensic and anthropological age assessments.
• This study contributes population-specific data, enhancing the reliability of medial clavicle analysis in forensic practice.