Apophyseal ossification of the iliac crest in forensic age estimation: New standards for modern Australian subadults using computed tomography

Risser grading on multi slice CT of Australian subadults reveals interesting anatomical deviations, highlighting flaws in the ossification progression stated by Risser. Appearance of the apophysis is witnessed 6 months to 12 months earlier in multi slice CT than pseudo-radiographs. Circumventing radiographic limitations such as superimposition, a modified eight-stage multi slice CT scoring-tier was developed for appearance and fusion of the apophysis, demonstrating origins from three secondary ossification centres. Complete fusion/obliteration occurs between 18.4 years to 19.7 years in males and 19.3 years to 20.3 years in females; indicating secular change in Australian children in contrast to anthropological standards of Coimbra individuals and the 23-year demarcation published by previous authors. The contributions of this original research are extensive. Caution in the derivation of ossification standards from conventional radiographs is advised, with conflicting timings and morphological progression to CT assessment. Retrospective clinical data acquisition provides the ideal catalyst for the advancement of anthropological subadult research, demonstrated by the construction of refined, Australian standards for age estimation of the current milieu. Bayesian posteriors of the multi slice CT scoring-tier demonstrate successful doli incapax age estimation for utility in criminal proceedings