NCJ Number
187601
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 215-219
Date Published
March 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Depending on the general condition of fetal remains, forensic specialists can use several methods with reference to published growth standards to estimate age with the most accuracy; most of the existing reference tables for such fetal remains are of ultrasonographic origin, and the nonultrasonographic ones are old and do not fit the population; the purpose of the current study was to assess a precise and easily reproducible method that can help to establish new fetal growth standards.
Abstract
This study describes a radiographic protocol and a measurement technique that facilitate and improve bone measurements, thus contributing to age estimation. A qualitative criterion, namely, a clear-cut bony endplate, was defined and tested. Its reliability (repeatability and reproducibility) turned out to be good, showing insignificant differences to the threshold of 0.05, with average errors of 0.26 and 0.44 mm, respectively. Moreover, the test of eventual size differences between the right and left femurs showed a P value < 0.0001. The test of the qualitative criterion was based on the comparison of the radiographic in situ femur measurements and the radiographic measurements of the same bones after dissection. The results were satisfactory, since an average error of 0.58 mm was obtained, which did not show any significant differences to the threshold of 0.05. The researchers concluded that this methodology provides an easy and precise new measurement tool for forensic practice, allowing the creation of some nonultrasonographic tables that fit the target population. 1 table, 2 figures, and 27 references