Abstract
In forensic anthropology, age estimation is one of the most important aspects of analysis. The use of radiographic data for age estimation based on the epiphyseal union is a scientifically approved and widely accepted method. X-ray images of the right wrist joint of 281 patients (143 males and 138 females) aged 12-22 years were retrospectively examined and the stages of union at the distal epiphyses of radius and ulna were assessed, to estimate age in a Qassim population, Saudi Arabia. The distal epiphyses of radius and ulna fused completely at 18-19 years in females and 19-20 years in males. Mean age gradually increased and varied with each stage of union, with a statistically significant difference of the females' and males' comparable means. Females experienced epiphyseal union one year earlier than males. The ROC curve showed 90.9% accuracy in males and 90.6% in females. The findings of this study indicate that radiographic analysis of the union at distal epiphyses of radius and ulna is a helpful technique for estimation of chronological age. When compared to other studies, the results showed limited variance among different population groups.