A review of the use of spheno-occipital synchondrosis as an age indicator and its implications for Sri Lanka

Abstract

A spheno - occipital synchondrosis is a cartilaginous joint, a growth centre found in the base of the skull between the basilar part of the occipital bone and the body of the sphenoid bone joining them together with a hyaline cartilage. This joint is important in cranio facial development for both vertical axis and horizontal plains resulting in the increase of facial height and width. The hyaline cartilage as usual is gradually replaced by bone with age and this very process has been used as a method to estimate the age of an unknown victim in forensic practice. This paper attempts to review the existing literature on the use of spheno-occipital synchondrosis as an age indicator in forensic practice with a view to identify its strengths, weaknesses and possible challenges one may face in using it for practical purposes in Sri Lanka.