Forensic age estimation based on the skeletal growth Assessment: a comprehensive review

Forensic age estimation is a scientific process in a forensic medicine which aims to determine in the most precise way possible, the chronological age of a person of an unknown or doubtful age involved in medical or legal proceedings such as unregistered children, asylum seekers, immigrants, marriage, sporting events and criminals. With the current concerns of migration trends, criminal activities and ethical legal dilemma, forensic medical team and anthropologist have tried to come up with several ways to determine the biological profile of living individuals. The skeleton and dentition has been used for age estimation for years, but with the new technological advances such as digital x-rays, computer tomographic imaging and ultrasound machines, age estimation has been made simple, faster and near accurate. This article reviews the use of bones for age estimation, with emphasis to various methodologies of bone assessment, limitations of this modalities and possible recommendation that may accurately bring to precision, the current methods of age estimation in the future. Sources and selection of data: comparison between old and new literature was reviewed and information was obtained from search engines such as the PubMed and Google scholar.