Ph.D. Forensic Anthropology
M.Sc. Forensic Science with a specialization in Forensic Biology
B.Sc. Forensic Science
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Forensic Science
46
Scopus Publications
483
Scholar Citations
12
Scholar h-index
13
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Sex determination from human cranium – 3D CT based evaluation in an Indian population Mohammed Akbar N J, Raghvendra Singh Shekhawat, Tanuj Kanchan, Taruna Yadav, Vikas Meshram, Rutwik Shedge, Seshagiri Raju Vempalli, Puneet Setia Anthropologischer Anzeiger, 2025 Identification of the human body or remains after death is a forensic procedure which is difficult to perform and is mandatory by law and in compliance with social norms. Sexing the recovered human remains is an integral part of the identification process. The utilization of radiological imaging methods in anthropometric studies is being expanded by the application of modern imaging methods, leading to a decrease in costs, time, and the ability to create three-dimensional images. It is widely accepted that using population-specific criteria to estimate biological traits in the human skeleton improves accuracy. The present study investigated three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography images of 274 individuals (183 males and 91 females) within the 1884 years age group (Mean age: 43.13 ± 17.23) for sex determination. A total of 16 anthropometric parameters were taken into consideration. Logistic regression analysis (LRA), multiple logistic regression, univariate, multivariate, and stepwise discriminant function analysis (DFA) were generated to establish the accuracy of the cranial parameters. The morphometric measurements of the skull revealed that the most dimorphic structure was the bizygomatic breadth, which emerged as the best predictor of sex, with an accuracy of 80.7% with LRA and 81.2% with univariate DFA. Our study evaluates sexual dimorphism in an Indian population using CT skull images, incorporating cranial measurements, logistic regression, and univariate and multivariate analyses to develop an anthropometric approach for sex determination. The uniqueness of this research lies in its focus on the Indian population, where morphological variations may differ from other populations. By refining established CT-based sex determination methods and incorporating advanced quantification techniques, we aim to enhance the accuracy of sex determination in this population.
Applicability of the six-phase method for auricular age estimation in an Indian population: A CT-based study Varsha Warrier, Rutwik Shedge, Pawan Kumar Garg, Shilpi Gupta Dixit, Kewal Krishan, Tanuj Kanchan Medicine Science and the Law, 2024 Age estimation plays a crucial role in human identification. Amongst numerous age markers located throughout the skeletal framework, the auricular surface of the ilium presents as a resilient structure, with different methods for auricular age estimation currently in practice. Amongst these methods, the Osborne method is believed to permit accurate age estimation through its use of robust age categories and discrete phase descriptors. The present study aimed to assess the applicability of the Osborne method in an Indian population through a computed tomographic (CT) examination of the auricular surface, an aspect presently unreported. In order to do so, CT scans of 380 individuals were collected and evaluated using the Osborne method. A CT-based examination indicated that surface texture described by Osborne is difficult to appreciate through 3D CT images. Indistinct definitions associated with certain features, and the mosaic display of features within each phase further prevents applying the method effectively. Overall accuracy percentages of 99.47% and 98.90% were obtained using the method in males and females, respectively, with corresponding inaccuracy values of 10.10 years and 9.04 years. Significantly reduced accuracy percentages were obtained with alternate, more robust age brackets presented within the original study, demonstrating the limited reliability associated with the method. Inaccuracy and bias values computed for each decade indicate the relative utility of the method in aging 40–59-year-old individuals. Low accuracy percentages, high error rates and different methodological hindrances encountered within the present study illustrate the limited applicability of the Osborne method in aging an Indian population.
Machine learning and regression analysis for age estimation from the iliac crest based on computed tomographic explorations in an Indian population Varsha Warrier, Rutwik Shedge, Pawan Kumar Garg, Shilpi Gupta Dixit, Kewal Krishan, Tanuj Kanchan Medicine Science and the Law, 2024 Age estimation constitutes an integral parameter of identification. In children, sub-adults, and young adults, accurate age estimation is vital on various aspects of civil, criminal, and immigration law. The iliac crest presents as a suitable age marker within these age cohorts, and the modified Risser method constitutes a relatively novel and unexplored method for iliac crest age estimation. The present study attempted to ascertain the applicability of this modified method for age estimation in the Indian population, an aspect previously unexplored, through computed tomographic examination of the iliac crest. Computed tomography scans of consenting individuals undergoing routine examinations of the pelvis/ abdomen for various clinically indicated reasons were collected and scored using the modified Risser stages. Computed tomographic examinations of the iliac crest indicate that the recalibrated method accurately depicts the temporal progression of ossification and fusion changes. Different regression and machine learning models were subsequently derived and/or trained to evaluate the accuracy and precision associated with the method. Amongst the ten regression models derived herein, compound regression exhibited the lowest inaccuracy (4.78 years) and root mean squared error values (5.46 years). Machine learning yielded further reduced error rates, with decision tree regression achieving inaccuracy and root mean squared error values of 1.88 years and 2.28 years, respectively. A comparative evaluation of error computations obtained from regression analysis and machine learning illustrates the statistical superiority of machine learning for forensic age estimation. Error computations obtained with machine learning suggest that the modified Risser method is capable of permitting reliable age estimation within criminal and civil proceedings.
Applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for age estimation in an Indian population: A computed tomography-based exploration using Bayesian analysis and machine learning Varsha Warrier, Rutwik Shedge, Pawan Kumar Garg, Shilpi Gupta Dixit, Kewal Krishan, Tanuj Kanchan Medicine Science and the Law, 2024 Age estimation occupies a prominent niche in the identification process. In cases where skeletal remains present for examination, age is often estimated from markers distributed throughout the skeletal framework. Within the pelvis, the pubic symphysis constitutes one of the more commonly utilized skeletal markers for age estimation, with the Suchey–Brooks method comprising one of the more commonly employed methods for pubic symphyseal age estimation. The present study was targeted towards assessing the applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for pubic symphyseal age estimation, an aspect largely unreported for an Indian population. In order to do so, clinically undertaken pelvic computed tomography scans of individuals were evaluated using the Suchey–Brooks method, and the error associated with the method was established using Bayesian analysis and different machine learning regression models. Amongst different supervised machine learning models, support vector regression and random forest furnished lowest error computations in both sexes. Using both Bayesian analysis and machine learning, lower error computations were observed in females, suggesting that the method demonstrates greater applicability for this sex. Inaccuracy and root mean square error obtained with Bayesian analysis and machine learning illustrates that both statistical modalities furnish comparable error computations for pubic symphyseal age estimation using the Suchey–Brooks method. However, given the numerous advantages associated with machine learning, it is recommended to use the same within medicolegal settings. Error computations obtained with the Suchey–Brooks method, regardless of the statistical modality utilized, indicate that the method should be used in amalgamation with additional markers to garner accurate estimates of age.
Anthropometry of the sternum: An autopsy-based study for sex determination Harshwardhan Khushalrao Khartade, Shikha Shrivastava, Rutvik Shedge, Vikas P Meshram, Shashidhar Prasad Garg Medico Legal Journal, 2024 Sex determination is one of the key components for establishing the individual's identity in forensic anthropology casework. It is a known fact that anthropometric assessment can have population-specific variations. The present autopsy study was conducted on the sterna of 102 cadavers (52 males and 50 females) of age more than 25 years at a tertiary care centre in Central India. Anthropometric measurements included the length of the manubrium (M), mesosternum (B) and combined length of manubrium and mesosternum (CL). Applicability of Hyrtl's law, Ashley's rule and the sternal index were also assessed for sex determination. A statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between sternal measurements and the sex of the study population. The highest coefficient of correlation was seen between sex and the combined length (r = 0.726), followed by mesosternal length (r = 0.620), and manubrial length (r = 0.509). The difference between the means of the sternal index in males and females was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), and the difference between the means of the ratio of the body with manubrium in males and females for Hyrtl's law is also not found to be statistically significant (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the length of the body and the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum are valuable criteria for sexing the sternum in an adult population of Central India. The sternum can be useful for sex determination, particularly when bones like skull, pelvis, or long bones are not available or fragmented.
Techniques in Forensic Cytology: The road ahead Navneet Ateriya, Ashish Saraf, Rutwik Shedge, Tanuj Kanchan, Puneet Setia, Raghvendra Singh Shekhawat Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine, 2019
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Sex determination from human cranium–3D CT based evaluation in an Indian population. MA NJ, RS Shekhawat, T Kanchan, T Yadav, V Meshram, R Shedge, ... Anthropologischer Anzeiger 82 (4) , 2025 2025
Applicability of the six-phase method for auricular age estimation in an Indian population: A CT-based study V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Medicine, Science and the Law 64 (4), 290-301 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
3D CT based age estimation from the pubic symphyseal surface in an Indian population using the Chen et al. method. SR Vempalli, V Meshram, RS Shekhawat, B Sureka, R Shedge, MA NJ, ... Anthropologischer Anzeiger 81 (3) , 2024 2024
Computed tomographic age estimation from the iliac crest and ischial tuberosity in an Indian population using supervised machine learning approaches. V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Anthropologischer Anzeiger 81 (3) , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Machine learning and regression analysis for age estimation from the iliac crest based on computed tomographic explorations in an Indian population V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Medicine, Science and the Law 64 (3), 204-216 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Short Tandem Repeats Profiling T Chauhan, S Arora, R Shedge, Astha Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 245-260 , 2024 2024
Forensic DNA Database R Shedge, A Iyengar, M Samuel, T Chauhan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 515-522 , 2024 2024
Forensic Odontology R Shedge, A Bhardwaj, T Chauhan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 385-399 , 2024 2024
Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA R Shedge, A Iyengar, M Samuel, T Chauhan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 183-198 , 2024 2024
Forensics in Bioterrorism M Samuel, R Shedge Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 491-503 , 2024 2024
DNA Phenotyping Astha, T Chauhan, S Arora, R Shedge Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 339-356 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Forensic Anthropology R Shedge, KS Guite, V Warrier, T Kanchan, K Krishan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 357-384 , 2024 2024
Forensic Entomology K Guite, R Shedge, V Warrier, T Kanchan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 415-449 , 2024 2024
Sex Chromosome Haplotyping M Samuel, R Shedge Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 261-270 , 2024 2024
Quantitation and Quality Assessment of DNA M Samuel, R Shedge, T Chauhan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 199-208 , 2024 2024
Investigation of the Dead Body A Atreya, R Shedge, T Kanchan Fundamentals of Forensic Biology, 25-42 , 2024 2024
Age estimation from iliac auricular surface using Bayesian inference and principal component analysis: a CT-based study in an Indian population V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 20 (2), 370-386 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for age estimation in an Indian population: A computed tomography-based exploration using Bayesian analysis and machine learning V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Medicine, Science and the Law 64 (2), 126-137 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Further explorations into the role of mast cells in deaths associated with fatal asphyxia: an immunohistochemical study utilizing CD 117 marker RS Shekhawat, VP Meshram, M Rao, R Shedge, R Panwar, M Rathore, ... Forensic Science International 350, 111689 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
An evaluation of the Gilbert-McKern pubic symphyseal age estimation method using Bayesian statistics and principal component analysis: A computed tomographic exploration in an … V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Anthropologischer Anzeiger 80 (3) , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Postmortem changes R Shedge, K Krishan, V Warrier, T Kanchan StatPearls [Internet] , 2023 2023 Citations: 99
Height assessment V Warrier, K Krishan, R Shedge, T Kanchan 2019 Citations: 52
Computed tomographic analysis of medial clavicular epiphyseal fusion for age estimation in Indian population R Shedge, T Kanchan, PK Garg, SG Dixit, V Warrier, P Khera, K Krishan Legal Medicine 46, 101735 , 2020 2020 Citations: 40
Age estimation using third molar maturation based on Demirjian’s criteria T Kanchan, V Chugh, A Chugh, V Meshram, R Shedge, AK Patnana, ... Legal Medicine 53, 101959 , 2021 2021 Citations: 38
Computed tomographic age estimation from the pubic symphysis using the Suchey-Brooks method: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis V Warrier, T Kanchan, R Shedge, K Krishan, S Singh Forensic Science International 325, 110811 , 2021 2021 Citations: 23
CT-based evaluation of the acetabulum for age estimation in an Indian population V Warrier, T Kanchan, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, R Shedge International journal of legal medicine 136 (3), 785-795 , 2022 2022 Citations: 19
Computed tomographic evaluation of cranial suture obliteration for age estimation in an Indian population MA NJ, RS Shekhawat, T Kanchan, T Yadav, VP Meshram, R Shedge, ... Cureus 15 (3) , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
Age estimation from sternebral fusion in an Indian population–A computed tomographic evaluation R Shedge, T Kanchan, PK Garg, SG Dixit, V Warrier, K Krishan Legal Medicine 53, 101951 , 2021 2021 Citations: 15
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the wrist and elbow joints: a pilot study to explore a non-invasive technique for age estimation R Shedge, T Kanchan, KPS Kushwaha, K Krishan Medicine, Science and the Law 61 (1), 14-22 , 2021 2021 Citations: 15
Computed tomographic evaluation of the acetabulum for age estimation in an Indian population using principal component analysis and regression models V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan International Journal of Legal Medicine 136 (6), 1637-1653 , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
Postmortem change 2021 Jul 26 R Shedge, K Krishan, V Warrier StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
Estimation of sex from dental arch dimensions: An Odontometric analysis T Kanchan, V Chugh, A Chugh, P Setia, R Shedge, K Krishan Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 32 (8), 2713-2715 , 2021 2021 Citations: 13
Postmortem changes. StatPearls R Shedge, K Krishan, V Warrier, T Kanchan StatPearls Publishing Copyright , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
Applicability of the Calce method for age estimation in an Indian population: A clinical CT-based study V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Legal Medicine 59, 102113 , 2022 2022 Citations: 9
Forensic age estimation using conventional radiography of the medial clavicular epiphysis: A systematic review R Shedge, T Kanchan, V Warrier, SG Dixit, K Krishan Medicine, Science and the Law 61 (2), 138-146 , 2021 2021 Citations: 9
Age related changes in thyroid and cricoid cartilages: an autopsy based radiological analysis D Jadav, R Shedge, T Kanchan, V Meshram, PK Garg, K Krishan Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine 85, 102299 , 2022 2022 Citations: 8
Age-related changes in the hyoid bone: An autopsy-based radiological analysis D Jadav, R Shedge, T Kanchan, V Meshram, PK Garg, K Krishan Medicine, Science and the Law 62 (1), 17-23 , 2022 2022 Citations: 8
Applicability of the Suchey–Brooks method for age estimation in an Indian population: A computed tomography-based exploration using Bayesian analysis and machine learning V Warrier, R Shedge, PK Garg, SG Dixit, K Krishan, T Kanchan Medicine, Science and the Law 64 (2), 126-137 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Further explorations into the role of mast cells in deaths associated with fatal asphyxia: an immunohistochemical study utilizing CD 117 marker RS Shekhawat, VP Meshram, M Rao, R Shedge, R Panwar, M Rathore, ... Forensic Science International 350, 111689 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Age estimation in sportspersons from the epiphyseal fusion around wrist, elbow, and pelvic joints A Hosmani, H Pathak, H Khartade, D Jadav, R Shedge, M Pawar, ... Cureus 15 (1), e33282 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7