Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1. Radiological
examination of
dental development
1a. ..of all tooth types Cadavers/ Human 0-14 y With increasing
Remains Age, less
Historic and accurate [11-13]
Archeological cases
And living
individuals
1b ...of the third molars As (l. a.) c. 14-21 y As (l.a.)
[14-16]
1. Evaluation of dental
morphology
including historical
features
Civil Cases
The minimum legal age for marriage in India is 21 years for boys and 18 years for girls.
When a boy and girl want to marry in a court of law (this usually happens when they
have eloped and want to marry against the wishes of their parents), the court official
demands an age certificate from both of them. In case of non-production of this
certificate, the court may refer the case to an age clinic (as is regularly run by the
Forensic Medicine department of the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India)
for estimation of age.
Criminal cases
The legal age of consent by a girl for sexual intercourse according to Indian law is 16
years. If a boy and a girl have eloped and have had intercourse willingly, the boy may
still be prosecuted for rape, if the girl happens to be below 16 years of age. If the girl
were above 16 years, it is not infrequent in such cases for the girl's parents to destroy her
birth certificate (even if it were there), and claim their daughter's age to be below 16
years. This is done with a view to have revenge from the boy who instigated their
daughter to run away from home. In such cases too, the police refers the case to the
doctor for estimation of age.
15.
This is
the
age
for
Figure 2. Diagram showing the fusion of various parts of sternum (click to enlarge)
Figure 3. X-ray Pelvis and femur in a two and a half year old male (Click to enlarge).
Medicolegal importance of 25 years of age
1. According to Article 84 (b) of The Constitution of India, minimum age for
contesting for the membership of Parliament is 25 years.
2. According to Article 173 (b) of The Constitution of India, minimum age for
contesting for the membership of any State Legislative Assembly is 25 years.
3. This is the maximum age for entry into some government services.
4. According to Punjab Excise Act 1914, a person below this age can not buy and
consume liquor.
References
The reader is well advised to visit the following sites for further information on
estimation of age in the living
1. David Lucy: Human age estimation from Skeletal and dental evidence (Abstract
of Ph.D. Dissertation)
2. Age reconstruction
3. Age determination from x-ray
DNA Fingerprinting
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Introduction; Uses of DNA Fingerprinting; The Admissibility of DNA Evidence in Courts
INTRODUCTION
I
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In order to obtain a DNA fingerprint, DNA is first extracted from body tissue or fluid such as
blood or saliva. Areas of DNA that can be used to distinguish one individual from another are
segmented and arranged. Probes are used to mark the segments and X-ray film is placed on the
probes and developed to form a pattern of black barsthe DNA fingerprint. DNA fingerprints
are then compared for similarities.
Generally, courts have accepted the reliability of DNA testing and have admitted DNA test results
into evidence, both in criminal cases (for example, to identify semen in a rape case) and in civil
cases (for example, in paternity claims). Despite the claim that DNA identification is virtually 100
per cent accurate, juries are directed that the final decision is up to them, rather than to forensic
scientists. In civil claims, however, DNA evidence is usually treated as conclusive. Where
paternity of a child is disputed, the courts will almost invariably order DNA tests, which have
largely replaced the less reliable blood tests of yesteryear.
Accuracy of Results
A
The accuracy of DNA fingerprinting has been challenged. First, because DNA segments rather
than complete DNA strands are fingerprinted, there is a possibility that DNA samples taken
from two individuals may yield identical results. For this reason, a finding that DNA fingerprints
are identical is accompanied by the probability that the particular DNA pattern could appear in a
particular segment of the population. As yet, widespread research confirming the uniqueness of
DNA fingerprinting test results has not been conducted. In addition, because humans interpret
the results there is always a possibility that mistakes will be made.
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DNA Fingerprinting
Encyclopedia Article
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Article Outline
Introduction; Uses of DNA Fingerprinting; The Admissibility of DNA Evidence in Courts
Prohibitive Costs
B
Because DNA testing is expensive, suspects who are unable to provide their own DNA experts
may not be able to adequately defend themselves if charges are brought against them based on
DNA evidence and DNA experts are not provided for them. Furthermore, experts hired to testify
either in support of or in opposition to the accuracy of DNA evidence may be biased.
Misuse of Results
C
DNA fingerprint results may be used for unauthorized purposes such as to identify
individuals with certain stigmatizing illnesses such as Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS). The potential for misuse increases if DNA fingerprint results are
kept in a database: like fingerprints, however, the police (who hold such records) are
obliged to destroy DNA evidence if a defendant is acquitted.
There is also concern that insurance companies will screen potential policyholders to
exclude those carrying genetic disorders that might lead to payments under
insurance policies.