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Criteria for age estimation in living individuals

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Abstract

This paper presents updated recommendations of the Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics for age estimations in living individuals in criminal proceedings. In order to increase the diagnostic accuracy and to improve the identification of age-relevant developmental disorders, a physical examination, an X-ray examination of the left hand, as well as a dental examination including the determination of the dental status and an X-ray of the dentition should be performed in each case. If the skeletal development of the hand is completed, an additional radiological examination of the clavicles should be carried out. Minimum requirements for reference studies are defined and recommendable studies are listed. Instructions for the examination and the preparation of expert reports are presented. The committee of the study group organizes annual proficiency tests for quality assurance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Röntgenstraße 23, 48149, Münster, Germany

    A. Schmeling

  2. Gesundheitsamt der Stadt Duisburg, Viktoriastraße 8, 47166, Duisburg-Hamborn, Germany

    C. Grundmann

  3. Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    A. Fuhrmann

  4. Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Straße 12, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    H.-J. Kaatsch

  5. Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstraße 190/52, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland

    B. Knell

  6. Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, Universität Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany

    F. Ramsthaler

  7. Institut für Radiologie, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    W. Reisinger

  8. Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Mainz, Am Pulverturm 3, 55131, Mainz, Germany

    T. Riepert

  9. Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    S. Ritz-Timme

  10. Arbeitsgruppe Anthropologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Ulm, Parkstraße 11, 89070, Ulm, Germany

    F. W. Rösing

  11. Arbeitskreis für Forensische Odonto-Stomatologie, Wimphelingstraße 7, 67345, Speyer, Germany

    K. Rötzscher

  12. Zähringerstraße 34, 10707, Berlin, Germany

    G. Geserick

Authors
  1. A. Schmeling
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  2. C. Grundmann
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  3. A. Fuhrmann
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  4. H.-J. Kaatsch
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  5. B. Knell
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  6. F. Ramsthaler
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  7. W. Reisinger
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  8. T. Riepert
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  9. S. Ritz-Timme
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  10. F. W. Rösing
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  11. K. Rötzscher
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  12. G. Geserick
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Correspondence to A. Schmeling.

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Schmeling, A., Grundmann, C., Fuhrmann, A. et al. Criteria for age estimation in living individuals. Int J Legal Med 122, 457–460 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-008-0254-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-008-0254-2

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