Radiological Indicators to Serve the Purpose of Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000

OBJECTIVES: To document radiological age indicator for differentiating Juvenile from adult offender for the purpose of Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000 of Pakistan. STUDY DESIGN: Perspective descriptive study. SETTING: Department of Radiology and Imaging, Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro/Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. STUDY PERIOD: June 2007 to December 2008. METHOD: Radiological study of adolescents both males and females (Total 394 comprising of 145 females and 249 males) subjects studying in various academic institutions of Hyderabad, representing the heterogeneous population was conducted with an object to observe the union of various bones that can provide an age indicator of 18 years for both genders. RESULTS: X-Ray pelvis showing fusion of iliac crest with the rest of the bone and X-Ray medial end of clavicle showing appearance, represents age 18 years + 2 months in females, whereas in males X-Ray shoulder joint showing complete Epiphyso-Diphyseal union and their X-Ray pelvis still showing no fusion of iliac crest, represents same age group of 18 years+ 2 months. Radiologically female subjects are one year ahead of their counterparts, so for the skeletal maturity findings are concerned. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that for females, if appropriate radiographs (X-ray pelvis and X-ray chest) showing fusion of iliac crest and appearance of epiphysis at medial end of clavicle the age is 18 years. In male population when radiograph of proximal end of humerus bone gives impression of union, it is concluded that the person has attained the age of 18 years.