Age estimation plays a vital role in forensic science as it helps in reconstructing the biological profile of a missing person. Cranial suture obliteration is one of the methods used for age estimation. However, the varying accuracy of age assessment through cranial suture obliteration has been found in various populations. The present study aims to generate population-specific regression models by assessing cranial suture obliteration in 3D CT scan images for the estimation of age in the Bengali population of Eastern India using the Acsádi and Nemeskéri method. This study included 221 female and 192 male Bengali individuals of Kolkata, who underwent a 3D CT scan using the DSCT SOMATOM CT scan instrument. Significant correlation ( p < .05) found between age and cranial suture obliteration score. 44%–46.2% of estimated age showed higher accuracy (±2.5 years of actual age) in males with age groups of 1–9 years and 50–59 years, when estimated age was calculated through sagittal suture obliteration score. In females, 43.8% of estimated age showed higher accuracy (±2.5 years of actual age) among the age group (40–59 years), when estimated age was calculated through the coronal suture. The Acsádi and Nemeskéri method is an effective method to estimate age in the Bengali population from cranial suture obliteration, with some error due to adaptive response against intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
Dutta et al. (Thu,) studied this question.