Age related changes in thyroid and cricoid cartilages: An autopsy based radiological analysis. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jadav, Devendra; Shedge, Rutwik; Kanchan, Tanuj; Meshram, Vikas; Garg, Pawan Kumar; Krishan, Kewal
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic and legal medicine. Volume 85(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Forensic anthropology -- Human identification -- Age estimation -- Thyroid cartilage -- Cricoid cartilage -- Calcification; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-928X

Abstract

Abstract: Forensic age estimation is an invaluable aspect of human identification. Out of these many means of age estimation, few regions with untapped potential for assistance in forensic age estimation are the age-related changes in the laryngeal cartilages. As the age advances, the thyroid and cricoid cartilages undergo gradual calcification in an individual. These age-related changes can be visualized in both the living and the dead using conventional radiography and can be objectively assessed. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the age-related changes in the laryngeal cartilages and the results may be utilized for age estimation in forensic examinations. The laryngeal cartilages were carefully dissected using standard procedures from 75 cadavers of age ranging from 17 to 65 years, during the post-mortem examination. The laryngeal cartilages were radiographed and replaced in the body cavity before culminating the post-mortem examination. The calcification of both cartilages was studied by using the standard grading method. Calcification scores of individual regions of both the laryngeal cartilages show a statistically significant positive correlation with chronological age (P < 0.05). Regression models derived from the degree of calcification of thyroid and cricoid cartilages showed standard error of estimates that ranged between 9.90 and 11.07 years. Considering the standard error of estimates of the regression analysis, the present study concludes that these regression models can be used in adjunct with other methods of age estimation such as the skeletal and dental age or when such methods are not viable as in cases of charred or mutilated remains. Highlights: Age estimation is one of the most crucial aspects of the identification process of the dead. The utility of age-related changes of the laryngeal cartilages for estimation of age has not been researched thoroughly. The present study has derived linear regression models from cartilage calcification scores that can be used to estimate age. These models can be used in adjunct with other means of estimation of age, or when such indicators of age are absent.