Question

An 18-year-old male accused of rape claims he is 16 years old. Which joint X-ray should be done?

• A. Elbow and ankle
• B. Knee and wrist
• C. Shoulder and head
• D. Hip & knee

Hint:

Knee and wrist X-rays are standard for assessing skeletal maturity and estimating age, as these joints exhibit predictable patterns of growth plate closure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To determine the age of an individual by analyzing bone growth, specific X-rays are conducted to examine the growth plates (epiphyseal plates) in various joints. For adolescents and young adults, these growth plates can help discern approximate age, as they close at different stages of development. In this scenario, an 18-year-old male is claiming to be 16 years old. To confirm or refute this claim, examining the knee and wrist joints is suggested. These joints contain growth plates that offer crucial age-related information:

• Knee: The distal femur and proximal tibia epiphyseal plates typically close around the age of 17-19 in males, which makes it an ideal choice to verify if someone is older than 16.
• Wrist: The epiphyseal plates in the wrist, particularly the radius, close around the age of 18-19. Examining these can provide evidence of whether the individual is closer to 18 or still around 16.

By using X-rays of these joints, it is possible to estimate whether the individual's bone age aligns more closely with 16 or 18, thus potentially confirming their actual age.