Research Progress of Age Estimation in the Living by Knee Joint MRI

doi:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.220503

Abstract

Abstract:

Bone development shows certain regularity with age. The regularity can be used to infer age and serve many fields such as justice， medicine， archaeology， etc. As a non-invasive evaluation method of the epiphyseal development stage， MRI is widely used in living age estimation. In recent years， the rapid development of machine learning has significantly improved the effectiveness and reliability of living age estimation， which is one of the main development directions of current research. This paper summarizes the analysis methods of age estimation by knee joint MRI， introduces the current research trends， and future application trend.

Key words: forensic anthropolgy, age estimation, magnetic resonance imaging, knee joint, deep learning, review

CLC Number:

DF795.6

Hong-xia HAO, Ya-hui WANG, Zhi-lu ZHOU, Tai-ang LIU, Jin CHEN, Yu-heng HE, Lei WAN, Wen-tao XIA. Research Progress of Age Estimation in the Living by Knee Joint MRI[J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2023, 39(1): 66-71.

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: http://www.fyxzz.cn/EN/10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.220503

http://www.fyxzz.cn/EN/Y2023/V39/I1/66

References 52

1	鲁婷，范飞，施蕾，等. MRI在法医学活体年龄推断中的研究进展[J].法医学杂志，2020，36（4）：549-558. doi：10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.04.022 .
	LU T， FAN F， SHI L， et al. Research progress on the forensic age estimation in living individuals using MRI[J]. Fayixue Zazhi，2020，36（4）：549-558.
2	SCHMELING A， DETTMEYER R， RUDOLF E， et al. Forensic age estimation[J]. Dtsch Arztebl Int，2016，113（4）：44-50. doi：10.3238/arztebl.2016.0044 .
3	DVORAK J， GEORGE J， JUNGE A， et al. Age determination by magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in adolescent male football players[J]. Br J Sports Med，2007，41（1）：45-52. doi：10.1136/bjsm.2006.031021 .
4	CATTANEO C， RITZ-TIMME S， GABRIEL P， et al. The difficult issue of age assessment on pedo-pornographic material[J]. Forensic Sci Int，2009，183（1/2/3）：e21-e24. doi：10.1016/j.forsciint. 2008.09.005 .
5	RÖSING F W， GRAW M， MARRÉ B， et al. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für forensische altersdiagnostik der deutschen gesellschaft für rechtsmedizin[J]. Rechtsmedizin，2005，15（1）：32-38. doi：10.1007/s00194-004-0296-9 .
6	SWEET M B， THONAR E J， IMMELMAN A R， et al. Biochemical changes in progressive osteoarthrosis[J]. Ann Rheum Dis，1977，36（5）：387-398. doi：10.1136/ard.36.5.387 .
7	MOSHER T J， DARDZINSKI B J. Cartilage MRI T₂relaxation time mapping： Overview and applications[J]. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol，2005，8（4）：355-368. doi：10.1055/s-2004-861764 .
8	SHIMADA Y， SHIMAO D， KOBAYASHI J， et al. Comparison of MR images for age determination； T₁ weighted images （T₁WI） versus T₂* weighted images （T₂*WI）[J]. Asian J Sports Med，2012，3（1）：47-52. doi：10.5812/asjsm.34727 .
9	南细柳. 多序列MRI扫描在诊断腰椎压缩性骨折中的效果观察[J].基层医学论坛，2022，26（11）：66-68. doi：10.19435/j.1672-1721.2022.11.022 .
	NAN X L. Effect of multi-sequence MRI scanning in the diagnosis of lumbar compression fracture[J]. Jiceng Yixue Luntan，2022，26（11）：66-68.
10	李承启，曹代荣，邢振，等. MRI场强及设备类型对同反相位成像定量分析健康志愿者腰椎脂肪含量的影响[J].中国中西医结合影像学杂志，2015，13（2）：122-125. doi：10.3969/j.issn.1672-0512.2015.02.002 .
	LI C Q， CAO D R， XING Z， et al. Influence of different field strength and different MR scanner with same field on quantitative analysis for lumbar bone marrow fat content with in- and opposed-phase in healthy volunteers[J]. Zhongguo Zhongxiyi Jiehe Yingxiangxue Zazhi，2015，13（2）：122-125.
11	FAN F， ZHANG K， PENG Z， et al. Forensic age estimation of living persons from the knee： Comparison of MRI with radiographs[J]. Forensic Sci Int，2016，268：145-150. doi：10.1016/j.forsciint. 2016.10.002 .
12	HERRMANN J， SÄRING D， DER MAUER M AUF， et al. Forensic age assessment of the knee： Proposal of a new classification system using two-dimensional ultrasound volumes and comparison to MRI[J]. Eur Radiol，2021，31（5）：3237-3247. doi：10.1007/s00330-020-07343-1 .
13	DODIN P， MARTEL-PELLETIER J， PELLETIER J P， et al. A fully automated human knee 3D MRI bone segmentation using the ray casting technique[J]. Med Biol Eng Comput，2011，49（12）：1413-1424. doi：10.1007/s11517-011-0838-8 .
14	O’CONNOR J E， BOGUE C， SPENCE L D， et al. A method to establish the relationship between chronological age and stage of union from radiographic assessment of epiphyseal fusion at the knee： An Irish population study[J]. J Anat，2008，212（2）：198-209. doi：10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00847.x .
15	BANJAR M， HORIUCHI S， GEDEON D N， et al. Review of quantitative knee articular cartilage MR imaging[J]. Magn Reson Med Sci，2022，21（1）：29-40. doi：10.2463/mrms.rev.2021-0052 .
16	LU T， QIU L R， REN B， et al. Forensic age estimation based on magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal humeral epiphysis in Chinese living individuals[J]. Int J Legal Med，2021，135（6）：2437-2446. doi：10.1007/s00414-021-02653-5 .
17	SCHMIDT S， VIETH V， TIMME M， et al. Examination of ossification of the distal radial epiphysis using magnetic resonance imaging. New insights for age estimation in young footballers in FIFA tournaments[J]. Sci Justice，2015，55（2）：139-144. doi：10.1016/j.scijus.2014.12.003 .
18	SERIN J， RÉROLLE C， PUCHEUX J， et al. Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist and hand to forensic age assessment[J]. Int J Legal Med，2016，130（4）：1121-1128. doi：10.1007/s00414-016-1362-z .
19	HILLEWIG E， DEGROOTE J， VAN DER PAELT T， et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sternal extremity of the clavicle in forensic age estimation： Towards more sound age estimates[J]. Int J Legal Med，2013，127（3）：677-689. doi：10.1007/s00414-012-0798-z .
20	HILLEWIG E， DE TOBEL J， CUCHE O， et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the medial extremity of the clavicle in forensic bone age determination： A new four-minute approach[J]. Eur Radiol，2011，21（4）：757-767. doi：10.1007/s00330-010-1978-1 .
21	DE TOBEL J， PHLYPO I， FIEUWS S， et al. Forensic age estimation based on development of third molars： A staging technique for magnetic resonance imaging[J]. J Forensic Odontostomatol，2017，35（2）：117-140.
22	DE TOBEL J， HILLEWIG E， BOGAERT S， et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of third molars： Developing a protocol suitable for forensic age estimation[J]. Ann Hum Biol，2017，44（2）：130-139. doi：10.1080/03014460.2016.1202321 .
23	EKIZOGLU O， HOCAOGLU E， CAN I O， et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of distal tibia and calcaneus for forensic age estimation in living individuals[J]. Int J Legal Med，2015，129（4）：825-831. doi：10.1007/s00414-015-1187-1 .
24	SAINT-MARTIN P， RÉROLLE C， DEDOUIT F， et al. Age estimation by magnetic resonance imaging of the distal tibial epiphysis and the calcaneum[J]. Int J Legal Med，2013，127（5）：1023-1030. doi：10.1007/s00414-013-0844-5 .
25	PRÖVE P L， JOPP-VAN WELL E， STANCZUS B， et al. Automated segmentation of the knee for age assessment in 3D MR images using convolutional neural networks[J]. Int J Legal Med，2019，133（4）：1191-1205. doi：10.1007/s00414-018-1953-y .
26	WITTSCHIEBER D， CHITAVISHVILI N， PAPA-GEORGIOU I， et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal tibial epiphysis is suitable for statements as to the question of majority： A validation study in forensic age diagnostics[J]. Int J Legal Med，2022，136（3）：777-784. doi：10.1007/s00414-021-02766-x .
27	DENG X D， LU T， LIU G F， et al. Forensic age prediction and age classification for critical age thresholds via 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging of the knee in the Chinese Han population[J]. Int J Legal Med，2022，136（3）：1-12. doi：10.1007/S00414-022-02797-Y .
28	SCHMELING A， SCHULZ R， REISINGER W， et al. Studies on the time frame for ossification of the medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilage in conventional radiography[J]. Int J Legal Med，2004，118（1）：5-8. doi：10.1007/s00414-003-0404-5 .
29	SCHMIDT S， MÜHLER M， SCHMELING A， et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the clavicular ossification[J]. Int J Legal Med，2007，121（4）：321-324. doi：10.1007/s00414-007-0160-z .
30	ZEMBER J S， ROSENBERG Z S， KWONG S， et al. Normal skeletal maturation and imaging pitfalls in the pediatric shoulder[J]. Radiographics，2015，35（4）：1108-1122. doi：10.1148/rg.2015140254 .
31	ALTINSOY H B， GURSES M S， ALATAS O. Evaluation of proximal humeral epiphysis ossification in 3.0 T MR images according to the Dedouit staging method： Is it be used for age of majority?[J]. J Forensic Leg Med，2021，77：102095. doi：10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102095 .
32	TERADA Y， KONO S， UCHIUMI T， et al. Improved reliability in skeletal age assessment using a pediatric hand MR scanner with a 0.3T permanent magnet[J]. Magn Reson Med Sci，2014，13（3）：215-219. doi：10.2463/mrms.2013-0098 .
33	NEUMAYER B， LESCH A， THALER F， et al. The four-minute approach revisited： Accelerating MRI-based multi-factorial age estimation[J]. Int J Legal Med，2020，134（4）：1475-1485. doi：10.1007/s00414-019-02231-w .
34	JOPP E， SCHRÖDER I， MAAS R， et al. Proximale tibiaepiphyse im magnetresonanztomogramm[J]. Rechtsmedizin，2010，20（6）：464-468. doi：10.1007/s00194-010-0705-1 .
35	KRÄMER J A， SCHMIDT S， JÜRGENS K U， et al. Forensic age estimation in living individuals using 3.0 T MRI of the distal femur[J]. Int J Legal Med，2014，128（3）：509-514. doi：10.1007/s00414-014-0967-3 .
36	KELLINGHAUS M， SCHULZ R， VIETH V， et al. Enhanced possibilities to make statements on the ossification status of the medial clavicular epiphysis using an amplified staging scheme in evaluating thin-slice CT scans[J]. Int J Legal Med，2010，124（4）：321-325. doi：10.1007/s00414-010-04 48-2 .
37	DEDOUIT F， AURIOL J， ROUSSEAU H， et al. Age assessment by magnetic resonance imaging of the knee： A preliminary study[J]. Forensic Sci Int，2012，217（1/2/3）：232.e1-232.e7. doi：10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.11.013 .
38	VIETH V， SCHULZ R， HEINDEL W， et al. Forensic age assessment by 3.0T MRI of the knee： Proposal of a new MRI classification of ossification stages[J]. Eur Radiol，2018，28（8）：3255-3262. doi：10.1007/s00330-017-5281-2 .
39	THAPA M M， IYER R S， KHANNA P C， et al. MRI of pediatric patients： Part 1， normal and abnormal cartilage[J]. AJR Am J Roentgenol，2012，198（5）： W450-W455. doi：10.2214/ajr.10.7280 .
40	EKIZOGLU O， HOCAOGLU E， INCI E， et al. Forensic age estimation via 3-T magnetic resonance imaging of ossification of the proximal tibial and distal femoral epiphyses： Use of a T2-weighted fast spin-echo technique[J]. Forensic Sci Int，2016，260：102.e1-102.e7. doi：10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.12.006 .
41	SIEGALL E， FAUST J R， HERZOG M M， et al. Age predicts disruption of the articular surface of the femoral condyles in knee OCD： Can we reduce usage of arthroscopy and MRI?[J]. J Pediatr Orthop，2018，38（3）：176-180. doi：10.1097/bpo.000 0000000000796 .
42	OTTOW C， SCHULZ R， PFEIFFER H， et al. Forensic age estimation by magnetic resonance imaging of the knee： The definite relevance in bony fusion of the distal femoral- and the proximal tibial epiphyses using closest-to-bone T₁ TSE sequence[J]. Eur Radiol，2017，27（12）：5041-5048. doi：10.1007/s00330-017-4 880-2 .
43	KRÄMER J A， SCHMIDT S， JÜRGENS K U， et al. The use of magnetic resonance imaging to examine ossification of the proximal tibial epiphysis for forensic age estimation in living individuals[J]. Forensic Sci Med Pathol，2014，10（3）：306-313. doi：10.1007/s12024-014-9559-2 .
44	KIM H K， SHIRAJ S， ANTON C G， et al. Age and sex dependency of cartilage T₂ relaxation time mapping in MRI of children and adolescents[J]. AJR Am J Roentgenol，2014，202（3）：626-632. doi：10.2214/ajr.13.11327 .
45	DING C， CICUTTINI F， SCOTT F， et al. Association between age and knee structural change： A cross sectional MRI based study[J]. Ann Rheum Dis，2005，64（4）：549-555. doi：10.1136/ard.2004.023069 .
46	DER MAUER M AUF， SÄRING D， STANCZUS B， et al. A 2-year follow-up MRI study for the evaluation of an age estimation method based on knee bone development[J]. Int J Legal Med，2019，133（1）：205-215. doi：10.1007/s00414-018-1826-4 .
47	MUTASA S， CHANG P D， RUZAL-SHAPIRO C， et al. MABAL： a novel deep-learning architecture for machine-assisted bone age labeling[J]. J Digit Imaging，2018，31（4）：513-519. doi：10.1007/s10278-018-0053-3 .
48	LIU Y， ZHANG C， CHENG J， et al. A multi-scale data fusion framework for bone age assessment with convolutional neural networks[J]. Comput Biol Med，2019，108：161-173. doi：10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.03.015 .
49	DALLORA A L， ANDERBERG P， KVIST O， et al. Bone age assessment with various machine learning techniques： A systematic literature review and meta-analysis[J]. PLoS One，2019，14（7）：e0220242. doi：10.1371/journal.pone.0220242 .
50	MAUER M A， WELL E J， HERRMANN J， et al. Automated age estimation of young individuals based on 3D knee MRI using deep learning[J]. Int J Legal Med，2021，135（2）：649-663. doi：10.1007/s00414-020-02465-z .
51	DALLORA A L， BERGLUND J S， BROGREN M， et al. Age assessment of youth and young adults using magnetic resonance imaging of the knee： A deep learning approach[J]. JMIR Med Inform，2019，7（4）：e16291. doi：10.2196/16291 .
52	DALLORA A L， KVIST O， BERGLUND J S， et al. Chronological age assessment in young individuals using bone age assessment staging and nonradiological aspects： Machine learning multifactorial approach[J]. JMIR Med Inform，2020，8（9）：e18846. doi：10.2196/18846 .

[1]	Xin-ying WANG, Jia-li ZHANG, Ping XIANG, Xin WANG. Research Progress on Hair Metabolomics and Its Application in Forensic Science [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2026, 42(1): 49-55.
[2]	Run-ting DOU, Shun CHENG, Xin ZHOU, Xing YE, Zhi-min WANG, Guang-hui HONG, Qi ZHANG, Qing XIA, Yi-wen SHEN. Machine Learning Model Based on Structured Injury Features for Knee Mobility Discriminations after Traumatic Injury [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2026, 42(1): 8-16.
[3]	Qiong JIA, Kai-jun JIN, Shi-qi LIU, Yi-meng ZHANG, Yun-le MENG, Hao NIE, Sheng HU, Fan YANG, Xing-chun ZHAO, Jian YE. Research Progress on the Methodological System for Decomposition Stage Classification in Forensic Medicine [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2026, 42(1): 34-42.
[4]	Xin NIU, Zhe CAO. Forensic Significance of Mesenteric Injury in Child Abuse Cases [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2026, 42(1): 43-48.
[5]	Ya-ning SUN, Dan-yang LI, Qing XIA, Yan GAO, Zong-shi XU, Wen-tao XIA, Hui-ming ZHOU, Xiao-meng HAN, Xiao-ying YU, Yan-liang SHENG. Frontiers and Perspectives of Artificial Intelligence in Forensic Research on CT Imaging Diagnosis of Rib Fractures [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(6): 593-600.
[6]	Ning-guo LIU. Innovative Development and Future Prospects in Forensic Pathology [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(6): 517-530.
[7]	Hu ZHAO. Current Status and Challenges of Forensic Psychiatry Research [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(6): 531-536.
[8]	. Precision Identification from a Multi-omics Perspective： Current Status， Challenges， and Prospects in Forensic Genetics ZHU Bo-feng [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(5): 421-440.
[9]	Han ZHANG, Xin HUANG, An-qi CHEN, Ji CHEN, Yan-fang LU, Jian-ye ZENG, Xiang WANG. Skin Microbiome： Expanding Dimensions and Challenges in Forensic Evidence [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(5): 443-455.
[10]	Yan GAO, Fang CHEN, Wen-tao XIA, Xiao-ping YANG, Ze-yu WANG, Ze-ren YANG, Xia LIU, Yan-liang SHENG. Research Progress of Chirp ABR and Its Application in Forensic Auditory Identification [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(4): 387-393.
[11]	Yi-ming TIAN, Yi-bo YAN, Di WEN, Yan SHI. Research Progress on the Application of Novel Functional Materials for Rapid Detection of New Psychoactive Substances [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(4): 314-325.
[12]	Hui-ming ZHOU, Dan-yang LI, Lei WAN, Tai-ang LIU, Yuan-zhe LI, Mao-wen WANG, Ya-hui WANG. Dual-Channel Shoulder Joint X-ray Bone Age Estimation in Chinese Han Adolescents Based on the Fusion of Segmentation Labels and Original Images [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(3): 208-216.
[13]	Yi-fan BAI, He-miao ZHAO, Jing CHEN, Hong-di LIU, Rui-qin YANG, Chong WANG. Application of Forensic Transcriptomics in the Identification of Tissue Origin of Body Fluid Stains [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(3): 260-266.
[14]	Qi LIAO, Yong-hong LIU, Ying JIAO, Xiao-ying YANG, Yi-hua YANG, Cui-mei LIU, Rui-xia GAO. Development of Benchtop Low‑Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technology and Its Application in Drug Control Field [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(3): 267-276.
[15]	Xuan-long CHEN, Qiang YUAN, Yong SUN, Die ZHANG, Jian-bin FU, Li-liang LI. Forensic Research Progress on Bongkrekic Acid Poisoning [J]. Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2025, 41(2): 111-119.