Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2022 Jan, Vol-16(1): HC01-HC04 1 1 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2022/50232.15845 Original Article Forensic Section Macroscopic Study of Temporoparietal Suture Closure at Autopsy for Estimation of Age INTRODUCTION The anatomy of human skeleton (including teeth) reflects the combined action of genes and environment, which forms the framework for the body. Bones and teeth are the most resistant to many kinds of decay so, they are important tool that helps in the identification of an individual. Age, sex and stature can be estimated from the study of bones and teeth [1]. Although determination of sex in adults does not cause any difficulty [2], determination of age at death in adults remains difficult and is subjected to innumerable errors [3]. The union of cranial sutures is a part of an age-related physiological process and is still used as a method for determination of age and also the macroscopic observation does not necessitate any specific equipment. The fusion of cranial sutures has been mainly used for determination of age as cranium is the best preserved portion of the recovered skeleton [4]. The need for identification arises in everyday medicolegal practice both in criminal and civil cases such as employment, pension, insurance, inheritance claims, disputed sex, missing persons, persons accused of assault, rape, murder, etc. Identification is essential in mass disasters, explosions, decomposed, mutilated bodies, skeletal remains or when an unknown person is found. Age estimation forms an important part of the identification of an individual. Estimation of age is done by various macroscopic methods based on the order of epiphyseal union of long bones, development and order of tooth eruption, closure of cranial sutures, appearance and fusion of various ossification centers as well as microscopic examination of bone in histological analysis [5]. Under 25 years of age, estimation of age is easily attained using the order of epiphyseal union of long bones and this is possible due to the progressive development of bones [6]. The epiphyseal fusion in cartilaginous bone occurs slightly earlier (by about one year) in females than in males, however the reverse is seen within the closure of sutures of the skull [7]. After 25 years of age, the age determination of unidentified skeletons becomes more difficult for which other methods were developed such as degeneration of the pubic symphysis, rib ends, and cranial suture closure. The degenerative changes that occur in adult skeleton can be influenced by factors including habitual activities and the health of an individual in addition to their age. Some authors emphasise that it is very unlikely for age to be the only factor affecting suture closure as the human body is “highly adaptive” [8]. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors play role in suture closure and morphology such as genetics, tensile forces, growing brain, and muscle stresses [9]. Studies in different geographical regions are essential as there is ethnical and racial variability. There are various genetic and environmental factors that influence the pattern of cranial suture such as daily water intake, dietary habits and the climatic conditions. Though age assessment by the closure of cranial sutures has been done since the 16 th century, the previous studies included only limited ancestral groups and these samples were often from historic skeletal collections [10]. Very few studies [11-13] have been done in the Northwest region of India for age estimation from cranial suture closure at autopsy and sparse Indian literature is available for temporoparietal suture closure. Hence, the present study was undertaken in the population of GAGANDEEP KALSI 1 , AMANDEEP SINGH 2 , DASARI HARISH 3 Keywords: Acsadi-Nemeskeri scale, Age estimation, Identification ABSTRACT Introduction: Age estimation is an integral part of identification of an individual which is needed for social and medicolegal purposes, whether in living, dead or in skeletal remains. Aim: To evaluate the utility of fusion of temporoparietal cranial suture for estimation of age at autopsy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the medicolegal postmortem cases that came to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India during the period between October 2018 and July 2019. A total of 280 cases were studied. The fusion of temporoparietal suture was studied macroscopically during the routine postmortem examination. The temporoparietal suture was studied ectocranially and endocranially by dividing it into two equal parts (T1 and T2), and applying Acsadi-Nemeskeri scale (0-4). Mean and standard deviation were calculated for ectocranial and endocranial suture closure (left and right sides). Also, it was calculated for total mean of the segments (T1+T2) taken together on both sides. Actual age and the scored values were plotted in a linear regression curve and estimated age was calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. Spearman’s correlation analysis was applied to determine the variable correlations. The p-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Estimated age for males and females was tested by Student’s t-test of significance. Results: Out of total 280 cases studied, maximum (219) were males. Maximum number of males and females were found to be in age group of 26 to 35 years. It was observed that closure commenced at the age of 18 to 25 years (Acsadi-Nemeskeri scale mean of 0.87, 0.84 for T1, T2, respectively on left side) and (Acsadi- Nemeskeri scale mean 0.84 for T1 and T2 on right side). Closure was not complete even at the age of 76 years and above (Acsadi- Nemeskeri scale mean 2.67, 2.50 for T1, T2, respectively on left side) and (mean 2.33, 2.67 for T1, T2, respectively on right side). Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that endocranially temporoparietal suture was closed at 18 years and above of age and it was found unfused even at age of more than 76 years for the identification of an individual especially in advanced age, and was consistent with the studies conducted by various authors.