An ossification test is a medical procedure used to estimate a person’s age by analyzing the development and fusion of their bones. This process is particularly useful in legal cases where there is a dispute about an individual’s age, such as in the case of Dharmaraj Kashyap, one of the accused in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Kashyap claimed to be 17 years old, but an ossification test disproved his claim, confirming that he was not a minor.
The test involves taking X-rays of specific bones—like the clavicle, sternum, and pelvis—which undergo noticeable changes as a person matures. These bones fuse at different stages of development, helping to estimate age. However, the Supreme Court of India has noted that while such tests can be helpful, they are not entirely conclusive, as individual variations in growth rates can affect results. Therefore, while the test can be used as evidence, it is not considered fully definitive in determining age.
