Forensic Age Estimation of Living Adolescents Using MRI of Wisdom Teeth, Wrist and Clavicles

Eva Scheurer¹, ², Thomas Widek¹, Pia Baumann¹, ², Andreas Petrovic¹, Heiko Merkens¹, Sabine Grassegger¹

The need for forensic age estimations currently relying on X-rays of the jaw and the wrist, and a CT of the clavicles increased with migration. However, the use of ionizing radiation without medical indication is mostly not permitted. In this study wisdom teeth, wrist and clavicles were investigated using MRI, and estimated age was compared to chronological age. Estimated age was quite accurate with reasonable variability until about 19 years, whereas older subjects were rather underestimated. Performing age estimations based on MRI of three body regions is realistic in the next years, when according reference values will be available.