At what developmental stage do males and females show different patterns of iliac crest fusion?

Iliac crest fusion is an important indicator of skeletal maturity, and it is during adolescence that the most pronounced differences between male and female patterns of fusion occur.

During this stage of development, the growth plates in the pelvis begin to fuse, which happens at different ages for males and females. Generally, females tend to show earlier fusion compared to males, reflecting the differences in growth patterns and hormonal influences. This divergence in development can be attributed to the onset of puberty, where hormonal changes accelerate growth and maturation.

By understanding these differences, forensic experts can use the degree of iliac crest fusion as a tool for estimating the age and sex of human skeletal remains, which is crucial in various forensic investigations.

In contrast, during middle childhood, late childhood, and early adulthood, the patterns of iliac crest fusion are less distinct and more variable, making adolescence the most defining period for such differences.