A Cross-Sectional Study on Radiological Age Estimation According to Risser’s Sign in Native of Jaipur at SMS Medical College Jaipur in Year 2024-2025

Abstract

Background: Accurate age estimation is of considerable importance in forensic and medico-legal practice, particularly in cases involving disputed age, juvenile justice, criminal responsibility, and civil litigation. The Risser sign, based on iliac crest apophyseal ossification, is a reliable indicator of skeletal maturity; however, population-specific reference data for the Indian population remain limited. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between Risser stage and chronological age medico-legal age estimation among the native population of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study included 100 healthy native Jaipur participants aged 12–21 years. Standard anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were evaluated, and skeletal maturity was graded according to the American Risser staging system. The association between chronological age and Risser stage was analysed using the Chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: A significant positive association was observed between chronological age and Risser stage in both sexes. Among males, Stage 4 was the most common Risser stage (50%), whereas Stage 5 predominated among females (46%). The association between age group and Risser stage was highly significant in males (χ²=108.64, p<0.001) and females (χ²=88.52, p<0.001). Females attained advanced skeletal maturity earlier than males, with mean ages for Stage 5 of 18.76 and 19.83 years, respectively. Complete iliac crest apophyseal fusion was observed in all females aged ≥18 years and predominantly in males aged 20–21 years. Conclusion: Risser staging demonstrates a strong correlation with chronological age and serves as a reliable tool for medico-legal age estimation. The findings provide regional reference data for the Jaipur population and support the use of the Risser sign in medico-legal age assessment, particularly around the legally significant age threshold of 18 years.

Keywords: Age estimation; Risser sign; Skeletal maturity; Iliac crest apophysis; Forensic medicine; Radiological assessment.