The use of MRI to determine age in Juveniles

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  An analysis of the applicability of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the determination of chronological age of juveniles in comparison to existing imaging methodologies in the context of age estimation in the living

• IRAS ID

  134980

• Contact name

  Sarah K Fay

• Research summary

  There is an increasing requirement for age estimation in the living especially in relation to the determination of age in juveniles. In order to achieve this, age assessment is normally based upon known progressive skeletal changes assessed by traditional radiographs and to a lesser extent Computer Tomography (CT) scans. However, due to the radiation exposure the use of such technologies is largely precluded, unless issued as a directive by court ordered in criminal cases. The development of MRI technology provides a platform for undertaking age estimation using such known progressive skeletal changes without exposure to radiation. This research aims to examine the role of skeletal development in age estimation in relation to, and discussing both, the accuracy and reliability of the current methods available to the practitioner, and the role that MRI could have in this field.

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1

• REC reference

  14/NS/0025

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 Mar 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion