Aim: Forensic age estimation plays a crucial role in various criminal and civil law contexts. In present study, we evaluated a cohort of 107 female and 109 male, aged 4 to 21 years. Ultrasonographic (USG) assessments were conducted on the sesamoid bone of the first metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and the distal epiphysis of the ulna.
Material and Methods: We developed a USG staging system for the distal ulna comprising six stages, as well as criteria to determine the ossification of the sesamoid bone. Results: Notably, Stage 5 of the ulna epiphysis was absent in all individuals under 12 years of age, while Stage 6 was not observed in any individual under 15 years.
In male, the earliest appearances of stages 2 through 6 occurred at ages 6.4, 8.2, 9.5, 13.8, and 17.2 years, respectively. For female, the earliest appearances of the same stages were noted at ages 4.7, 7.5, 8.6, 12.0, and 15.2 years, respectively. The inter-rater reliability for the ulna measurements demonstrated a high level of agreement (ICC=0.941, p