Estimation of age : Identification of a Dead Person

1. During the first 2 years of life:
• Milk dentition
  
• Appearance of ossific centers
  
• Closure of anterior fontanel (18 – 24 months)
• Body weight:
• At birth the weight is about 3 - 3.5 kg.
• At 6 months 6.0 kg.
• At 12 months 9.0 kg.
• At 2 years 12.0 kg.
  
2. Between 2 and 6 years:
• Body weight: increases about 2 kg per year.
• Age in years = (weight in kg - 8) / 2.
• Appearance of ossific centers (see before).
• Closure of skull sutures
  
3. Between 6 and 12 years:
• Union of pubic and ischial rami at 6 years.
• Appearance of ossific centers (see before).
• Eruption of permanent teeth
4. Ages of 12 -14 years
• Appearance of signs of puberty:
• In females (11-13 years): start menstruation, breast enlargement, hair growth in pubic & axillary regions and fat deposition in buttocks & shoulders.
• In males (12-14 years): hoarseness of voice, enlargement of sexual organs, start semination & ejaculation
• Appearance of ossific centers and union of the epiphyses
  
5. Between 14 and 25 years:
• Eruption of wisdom teeth
• Union of the epiphyses
  
• Fusion of sacral segments
  
6. Above 25 years: estimation of age is not accurate:
• Closure of skull sutures.
• Ossification of sternum, hyoid bone and costal cartilages.
• Medullary cavity of the humerus
  
• Dental changes.
• Signs of senility: grayness of hair, arcus senilis, wrinkles about the eyes etc...

Category: Forensic Medicine Notes