[Reproducibility of the results of forensic age estimation using radiological method]

When introducing new methods into practice, in order to improve the quality of medical research, in addition to the generally accepted statistical tools, it is necessary to apply additional ones, one of which is the kappa-Cohen (k). The calculation of the k-coefficient makes it possible to assess the level of agreement between a group of experts or methods, as well as to determine the reliability and validity of the study results.

To evaluate inter-expert agreement in age estimation within forensic medical practice using a radiological method.

A radiologist and forensic medical examiners with varying lengths of professional experience independently assessed 50 radiographic images of the sternum based on 11 morphological criteria.

The inter-expert agreement between the radiologist and the forensic medical examiner with extensive experience (Rg+LE) ranged from 0.61 to 1.00 and was significantly higher than the agreement observed in groups involving a forensic medical examiner with limited experience (Rg+SE; LE+SE).

The results of this comparative study lead to the conclusion that in forensic expert practice, the radiological assessment of sternum and costal cartilage ossification processes for age estimation will not be reproducible without more precise verbal and visual definitions of the criteria for the recorded conditions, eliminating ambiguity. Clear gradations of the severity of degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue on the studied images will allow for consistent evaluation by experts with different professional experience.