Forensische Altersdiagnostik mittels Niederfeld-Magnetresonanztomographie [Forensic age assessment by means of low-field MRI ]

Ottow C.; Schmidt S.; Schulz R.; Sottmann L.; Heindel W.; Krähling T.; Pfeiffer H.; Vieth V.; Schmeling A.

Abstract

Background: It is necessary to find a careful and reliable medical procedure for forensic age estimation in the living in order to correctly assess age in potentially underage unaccompanied refugees, so that actual unaccompanied minors may receive their deserved judicial privileges. Objective: Design and first results of a study concerning forensic age estimation by low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are presented. Material and methods: Prospective examinations of 650 study participants are planned, evenly distributed in groups of 25 individuals per sex across the age bracket of 12–24 years. The developmental stages of distal radius, distal ulna, distal femur and proximal tibia are to be examined using a 0.31 Tesla (T) low-field MRI scanner, and to then be assessed by applying the Vieth classification. Results: After assessing the 487 study participants examined to date, it is apparent that the chosen sequences yield the needed information about the ossification of the epiphyses of interest to enable the application of the Vieth classification. The examination procedures are also proving to be smooth and uneventful. Conclusion: Forensic age estimation in the living by means of 0.31 T low-field MRI scanners using the Vieth classification is feasible. It is yet to be decided, whether the characteristics of the ossification of the wrist and knee joints allow for a reliable proof of majority beyond reasonable doubt.