Ī large number of methods for evaluating bone maturity (bone age) have been proposed in the literature. Unusually, the protocol proposes evaluating the degree of fusion of the proximal epiphysis of the collar bone by X-ray or CT scan to determine whether an individual is older than 21 years. Given the correlations between these components and the suitability and possibilities offered by the different methods, the “Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics” ( ) has established a procedure for estimating chronological age in a forensic setting. A combination of these components (physical examination, dental examination and bone examination) is used to achieve greater accuracy and precision when estimating the chronological age. Sexual maturity is also related to the general body growth acceleration observed during puberty. The degree of sexual maturity refers to the developmental status achieved by the secondary sex characteristics and the onset of menarche in girls. Morphological age is determined on the basis of physical characteristics such as height, weight and general body shape and a comparison of the results with growth curves. Using an Orthopantomogram (OPG) and intraoral dental X-rays, dental age evaluates the eruption status of teeth (number and groups of teeth that emerge in the oral cavity ) and the mineralisation status of the dental crowns and roots. Bone maturity is determined from the degree of ossification of the bones in wrist (carpus) and the development and degree of fusion of the metacarpal bones, phalanges and distal epiphyses of the ulna and radius. In general, the bone age is evaluated on the basis of a radio graphical examination of the bones, with the (left) hand and wrist being the most widely used. In the absence of reliable information, the chronological age has been related to the degree of somatic development and maturity of individuals (biological age) and, specifically, bone age, dental age, morphological age (growth age) and degree of sexual maturity. Efforts in the ethical and health fields are directed at caring for the victims of trafficking en route and at the destination and children and adolescents living under precarious conditions. In addition, in the event of death, the effective lack of identification of the body has legal, civil and economic consequences for both the deceased and their family. The relevance in a legal setting is that age determines the possibilities for repatriation, the scope for detention, the bodies responsible for attending asylum requests and the administrative, civil and penal procedures applicable in such situations. These migratory flows have created an increasing need to estimate the chronological age of people lacking official papers or checkable documentation. In addition, the regional instability caused by armed conflicts has caused, and is currently causing, many people to seek refuge in more stable settings. The impetus of the so-called “Information Society” and the “Knowledge Society” is producing a globalisation of economies and markets and has intensified migratory flows in search of new opportunities. The technological, social and political upheavals of the past few years have modified lifestyles, revolutionised economies and caused the downfall of numerous companies and the emergence of many others in light of the new business opportunities created. Given the systematic errors with regard to the reference population, we propose the adjustment required to apply the ages calculated according to the atlas and indicate the limitations inherent to predicting chronological age when only information from the bones in the hand and wrist is used. The mean difference between the bone and chronological ages was 0.51☑.13 years in girls and 0.32☑.11 years in boys. The inter-observer Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was ρ c=0.98, with a value of 0.05☐.52 for girls and 0.06☐.44 for boys (difference between observations in years), whereas the intra-observer Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was ρ c=0.99 (0.05☐.27 for girls and 0.10☐.36 for boys). The repeatability of the measurement (intra-and inter-observer) and the systematic error inherent to Bone Age (BA) estimation using the Greulich & Pyle (GPA) method has been estimated using a sample from the Spanish population. As an indicator of growth rate, bone age is used to determine the level of development and to predict chronological age when this is not known.

Bone age and chronological age