Age Estimation Using Digital X-Ray Imaging of the Shoulder Joint in theBihar population

Background: Age estimation is essential in forensic medicine, legal investigations, and therapeutic assessments. Although a variety of methods are employed, such as biochemical indicators and dental examination, radiographicevaluation is still a dependable and non-invasive approach. The shoulder joint, which includes the humerus,clavicle, and scapula, has distinctive epiphyseal alterations that make it useful for estimating skeletal age. Data onregion-specific populations, such those in Bihar, India, where socioeconomic and environmental variables mightaffect bone formation and maturation, are few.Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of shoulder joint digital radiography imaging in determining the chronological ageof Bihar's youth and young adults.Methodology: The present study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology NMCH,Patna, Bihar, India. 92 people between the ages of 14 and 20 participated in a cross-sectional research. Using Jitand Kulkarni's four-stage categorization, digital X-rays of the shoulder joint were examined for epiphyseal fusionof the acromion process, coracoid process, and humeral head. Simple random selection was used to chooseparticipants who satisfied certain inclusion requirements.Results: As age increased, the research showed a gradual pattern of ossification and fusion. By the time they were18 to 20 years old, stage 3 (full fusion) was the most common. In accordance with known developmentaltendencies, females had somewhat earlier epiphyseal fusion than males.Conclusion: A valid and useful method for estimating age in the Bihar population is the radiographic evaluationof shoulder ossification. Skeletal maturity data particular to a region improves the precision of forensic andmedico-legal investigations.