Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Validation of a post-mortem computed tomography method for age estimation based on the 4th rib in a French population

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Legal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Age estimation is a key factor for identification procedure in forensic context. Based on anthropological findings, degenerative changes of the sternal extremity of the 4th rib are currently used for age estimation. These have been adapted to post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT). The aim of this study was to validate a post-mortem computed tomography method based on a revision of the Iscan’s method on a French sample. A total of 250 PMCT (aged from 18–98 years (IQR 36–68 years, median 51 years); 68 (27%) females) from the Medicolegal Institute of Paris (MLIP) were analyzed by two radiologists. The sternal extremity of 4th right rib was scored using method adapted from Iscan et al. Weighted κ was used to evaluate intra- and inter-observer reliability and Spearman correlation was performed to evaluate relationship between age and score. Confidence intervals for individual prediction of age based on 4th rib score and sex were computed with bootstrapping. The intra-observer reliability and inter-observer reliability were almost perfect (weighted κ = 0.85 [95%CI: 0.78–0.93] and 0.82 [95%CI 0.70–0.96] respectively). We confirmed a high correlation between the 4th rib score and subject age (rho = 0.72, p < 0.001), although the confidence intervals for individual age prediction were large, spanning over several decades. This study confirms the high reliability of Iscan method applied to PMCT for age estimation, although future multimodal age prediction techniques may help reducing the span of confidence intervals for individual age estimation.

Trial registration: INDS 0,509,211,020, October 2020, retrospectively registered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

No.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  1. Interpol (2018) Disaster victim identification guide. In: Interpol website. https://www.interpol.int/How-we-work/Forensics/Disaster-Victim-Identification-DVI. Accessed 17 Mar 2021

  2. Djurić M, Djonić D, Nikolić S et al (2007) Evaluation of the Suchey-Brooks method for aging skeletons in the Balkans. J Forensic Sci 52:21–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00333.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Işcan MY, Loth SR, Wright RK (1984) Age estimation from the rib by phase analysis: white males. J Forensic Sci 29:1094–1104

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Işcan MY, Loth SR, Wright RK (1985) Age estimation from the rib by phase analysis: white females. J Forensic Sci 30:853–863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. İşcan MY, Loth SR, Wright RK (1984) Metamorphosis at the sternal rib end: a new method to estimate age at death in white males. Am J Phys Anthropol 65:147–156. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330650206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Garvin HM, Passalacqua NV (2012) Current practices by forensic anthropologists in adult skeletal age estimation. J Forensic Sci 57:427–433. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01979.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Stout SD, Dietze WH, Işcan MY, Loth SR (1994) Estimation of age at death using cortical histomorphometry of the sternal end of the fourth rib. J Forensic Sci 39:778–784

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Crowder C, Heinrich J, Stout SD (2012) Rib histomorphometry for adult age estimation. Methods Mol Biol Clifton NJ 915:109–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-977-8_7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Stout SD, Paine RR (1992) Brief communication: histological age estimation using rib and clavicle. Am J Phys Anthropol 87:111–115. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330870110

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Fanton L, Gustin M-P, Maujean G et al (2012) Geometric and harmonic study of the aging of the fourth rib. Int J Legal Med 126:685–691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0714-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Epker BN, Kelin M, Frost HM (1965) Magnitude and location of cortical bone loss in human rib with aging. Clin Orthop 41:198–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Miller EJ, Van der Korst JK, Sokoloff L (1969) Collagen of human articular and costal cartilage. Arthritis Rheum 12(1):21–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.1780120105

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. McCormick WF (1980) Mineralization of the costal cartilages as an indicator of age: preliminary observations. J Forensic Sci 25:736–741

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hartnett KM (2010) Analysis of age-at-death estimation using data from a new, modern autopsy sample, part II: sternal end of the fourth rib. J Forensic Sci 55:1152–1156. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01415.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Yavuz MF, İşcan MY, Çöloğlu AS (1998) Age assessment by rib phase analysis in Turks. Forensic Sci Int 98:47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(98)00122-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Haj Salem N, Aissaoui A, Mesrati MA et al (2014) Age estimation from the sternal end of the fourth rib: a study of the validity of İşcan’s method in Tunisian male population. Leg Med 16:385–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2014.06.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Muñoz A, Maestro N, Benito M et al (2018) Sex and age at death estimation from the sternal end of the fourth rib. Does Íşcan’s method really work? Leg Med 31:24–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.12.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Dedouit F, Savall F, Mokrane F-Z et al (2014) Virtual anthropology and forensic identification using multidetector CT. Br J Radiol 87:20130468. https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.20130468

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Carballeira Álvarez A, Mancini J, Tuchtan-Torrents L et al (2018) Diagnostic value of unenhanced postmortem computed tomography in the detection of traumatic abdominal injuries. Diagn Interv Imaging 99:397–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2017.12.015

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Norberti TP, Giaconi C et al (2019) State of the art in post-mortem computed tomography: a review of current literature. Virchows Arch 475:139–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-019-02562-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Brun CN, Christensen AM, Kravarski M et al (2017) Comparative radiologic identification with standardized single CT images of the paranasal sinuses - evaluation of inter-rater reliability. Forensic Sci Int 280:81–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.029

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hatch GM, Dedouit F, Christensen AM et al (2014) RADid: a pictorial review of radiologic identification using postmortem CT. J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2:52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jofri.2014.02.039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Gascho D, Flach PM, Schaerli S et al (2018) Application of 3D image fusion for radiological identification of decedents. J Forensic Radiol Imaging 13:12–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jofri.2018.04.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lottering N, MacGregor DM, Meredith M et al (2013) Evaluation of the Suchey-Brooks method of age estimation in an Australian subpopulation using computed tomography of the pubic symphyseal surface. Am J Phys Anthropol 150:386–399. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22213

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Merritt CE (2018) Part I - Adult skeletal age estimation using CT scans of cadavers: revision of the fourth rib methods. J Forensic Radiol Imaging 14:39–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jofri.2018.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Blaszkowska M, Flavel A, Franklin D (2019) Validation of the Iscan method in clinical MSCT scans specific to an Australian population. Int J Legal Med 133:1903–1913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-018-01992-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Grabherr S, Cooper C, Ulrich-Bochsler S et al (2009) Estimation of sex and age of “virtual skeletons” – a feasibility study. Eur Radiol 19:419–429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-1155-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Dedouit F, Bindel S, Gainza D et al (2008) Application of the Iscan method to two- and three-dimensional imaging of the sternal end of the right fourth rib. J Forensic Sci 53:288–295. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00642.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Diedenhofen B, Musch J (2015) cocor: a comprehensive solution for the statistical comparison of correlations. PLoS ONE 10:e0121945. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0121945

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Boldsen JL, Milner GR, Konigsberg LW, Wood JW (2002) Transition analysis: a new method for estimating age from skeletons. In: Hoppa RD, Vaupel JW (eds) Paleodemography, 1st edn. Cambridge University Press, pp 73–106

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  31. Konigsberg LW, Herrmann NP, Wescott DJ, Kimmerle EH (2008) Estimation and evidence in forensic anthropology: age-at-death. J Forensic Sci 53:541–557. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00710.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Cunha E, Baccino E, Martrille L et al (2009) The problem of aging human remains and living individuals: a review. Forensic Sci Int 193:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.09.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Anderson MF, Anderson DT, Wescott DJ (2010) Estimation of adult skeletal age-at-death using the Sugeno fuzzy integral. Am J Phys Anthropol 142:30–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.21190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bassed RB, Briggs C, Drummer OH (2011) Age estimation using CT imaging of the third molar tooth, the medial clavicular epiphysis, and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis: a multifactorial approach. Forensic Sci Int 212:273.e1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.06.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Bascou A, Dubourg O, Telmon N et al (2021) Age estimation based on computed tomography exploration: a combined method. Int J Leg Med. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02666-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Wang G, Hao J, Ma J, Jiang H (2011) A comparative assessment of ensemble learning for credit scoring. Expert Syst Appl 38:223–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2010.06.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Villa C, Buckberry J, Cattaneo C et al (2015) Quantitative analysis of the morphological changes of the pubic symphyseal face and the auricular surface and implications for age at death estimation. J Forensic Sci 60:556–565. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12689

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Wink AE (2014) Pubic symphyseal age estimation from three-dimensional reconstructions of pelvic CT scans of live individuals. J Forensic Sci 59:696–702. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12369

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Chiba F, Makino Y, Motomura A et al (2013) Age estimation by multidetector CT images of the sagittal suture. Int J Leg Med 127:1005–1011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0883-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Belghith M, Marchand E, Ben Khelil M et al (2021) Age estimation based on the acetabulum using global illumination rendering with computed tomography. Int J Leg Med. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02539-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Peng H, Gong W, Beckmann CF et al (2021) Accurate brain age prediction with lightweight deep neural networks. Med Image Anal 68:101871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.media.2020.101871

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Cerezo-Román JI, Hernández Espinoza PO (2014) Estimating age at death using the sternal end of the fourth ribs from Mexican males. Forensic Sci Int 236:196.e1-196.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.12.044

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Paris, Paris, France

    Marie-Edith Richard, Corentin Provost, Jean-François Meder, Catherine Oppenheim & Joseph Benzakoun

  2. Service de Neuroradiologie, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, 1, Rue Cabanis, 75014, Paris, France

    Marie-Edith Richard, Ghazi Hmeydia, Corentin Provost, Laura de Jong, Jean-François Meder, Catherine Oppenheim & Joseph Benzakoun

  3. Université de Paris, UMR8045 BABEL, CNRS, Paris, France

    Tania Delabarde & Bertrand Ludes

  4. Institut Médico-Légal de Paris, Paris, France

    Tania Delabarde, Lilia Hamza & Bertrand Ludes

  5. Pôle Universitaire d’imagerie Post-Mortem, Université de Paris, Paris, France

    Tania Delabarde, Lilia Hamza & Bertrand Ludes

  6. Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences de Paris, INSERM UMR 1266, IMA-BRAIN, Paris, France

    Ghazi Hmeydia, Corentin Provost, Laura de Jong, Jean-François Meder, Catherine Oppenheim & Joseph Benzakoun

Authors
  1. Marie-Edith Richard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tania Delabarde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ghazi Hmeydia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Corentin Provost
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Laura de Jong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lilia Hamza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jean-François Meder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Catherine Oppenheim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Bertrand Ludes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Joseph Benzakoun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph Benzakoun.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

In accordance with French legislation, the study was registered and the absence of subject opposition was verified. As this study implied retrospective analysis of routinely acquired data, formal approval by Ethics Committee was not required.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Richard, ME., Delabarde, T., Hmeydia, G. et al. Validation of a post-mortem computed tomography method for age estimation based on the 4th rib in a French population. Int J Legal Med 136, 833–839 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02798-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02798-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation