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Age-related changes in the hyoid bone: An autopsy-based radiological analysis
Devendra Jadav1, Rutwik Shedge1, Tanuj Kanchan1
1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|June 9, 2021
Summary
Hyoid bone fusion shows age-related changes useful for forensic age estimation. This method aids in identifying unknown deceased, especially when other indicators are missing.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Radiology
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Forensic age estimation is vital for identifying unidentified remains.
- Hyoid bone fusion changes offer a potential, underexplored method for age assessment.
- Radiographic visualization of hyoid bone fusion is feasible in both living and deceased individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate age-related changes in hyoid bone fusion.
- To determine the utility of hyoid bone fusion for age estimation in forensic contexts.
- To correlate hyoid bone fusion stages with chronological age.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of hyoid bones from 75 cadavers during post-mortem examination.
- Radiographic imaging of dissected hyoid bones.
- Standardized grading of hyoid bone fusion.
- Statistical analysis using Spearman's correlation and box and whisker plots.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between hyoid bone fusion scores and chronological age.
- Age distribution across fusion stages demonstrated a gradual, linear relationship.
- Hyoid bone fusion exhibits distinct age-related progression.
Conclusions:
- Hyoid bone fusion serves as a reliable indicator of chronological age.
- This method can supplement existing forensic age estimation techniques like skeletal and dental analysis.
- It is particularly valuable for cases with mutilated remains or absent traditional indicators.
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