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Int J Leg Med (2006) 120: 14
DOI 10.1007/s00414-005-0002-9ORIGINAL ARTICLEAndreas Schmeling . Uta Baumann . Sven Schmidt .
Klaus-Dieter Wernecke . Walter ReisingerReference data for the ThiemannNitz method of assessing
skeletal age for the purpose of forensic age estimationReceived: 11 April 2005 / Accepted: 1 June 2005 / Published online: 13 July 2005
# Springer-Verlag 2005Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the statistical parameters of deviation in the ThiemannNitz method for use in forensic age diagnostics. To this effect, 402
hand radiograms, originally taken in two large German
cities between 1983 and 2002 for the purpose of diagnosing
trauma, were analyzed. At the time of examination, the patients were aged between 10 and 18 years. The study presents the mean, standard deviation, and median, with lower
and upper quartiles, for the skeletal ages of 11.0 through18.0 years. The simple standard deviations range between0.2 and 1.2 years. To increase the accuracy of age estimates
and improve the identification of age-relevant developmental disorders in forensic age estimation practice, the
methods for determining skeletal age should always be
combined with a physical and dental examination. In addition, the expert opinion should pay attention to the issue
of different modernization levels in relevant populations.Keywords Forensic age estimation . Skeletal age . Hand
ossificationIntroductionRecent years have brought a worldwide increase in crossborder migration due to a globalized economy, European
integration, and ongoing belligerent conflicts. As a result,
the number of foreigners who cannot provide documentary evidence for their date of birth has increased not only
in Germany, but also in numerous other European countries. Because of this development, forensic age estimation of live subjects has increasingly become an integral
part of forensic practice. Similarly, forensic age diagnostics now constitute a growing field within legal medicine
[911, 16, 18].Usually, the individuals subjected to forensic age estimation procedures are foreigners without valid identification
documents who are suspected of making false statements
about their age and whose genuine age is of legal relevance. In Germany, the age thresholds relevant for legal
purposes are 14, 16, 18, and 21 years [7]. Similarly, the
legally relevant age limits in numerous other European
countries range from 14 to 18 years of age [3].To estimate the age of a person as part of...