Effects of ethnicity on skeletal maturation: consequences for forensic ageestimations

An X-ray of the hand is an important method in forensic science for estimat ion of the age of juvenile suspects with uncertain date of birth. Relevant X-ray standards for evaluation of skeletal maturity are available for white US Americans as well as for North and Central Europeans. The applicability of these standards to members of ethnic groups different from the referenc e population has been the subject of controversial discussion. More than 80 publications were analysed with the view to finding out whether skeletal m aturation is affected by ethnic identity. It was concluded that skeletal ma turation takes place in phases which are identically defined for all ethnic groups. Time-related differences in passing those stages of skeletal matur ation within the relevant age group appear to be unaffected by ethnic ident ity. It is the socioeconomic status of a given population which is of decis ive importance to the rate of ossification. The application of X-ray standa rds to individuals of a socio-economic status lower than that of the refere nce population usually leads to underestimation of that person's age. In te rms of criminal responsibility, this is of no adverse effect on the person concerned.