Age estimation by pulp-to-tooth area ratio using cone-beam computed tomography: A preliminary analysis.

Background: Age estimation of living or deceased individuals is an important aspect of forensic sciences. Conventionally, pulp-to-tooth area ratio (PTR) measured from periapical radiographs have been utilized as a nondestructive method of age estimation. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a new method to acquire three-dimensional images of the teeth in living individuals.

Forensic dental age estimation by measuring root dentin translucency area using a new digital technique.

Dentin translucency measurement is an easy yet relatively accurate approach to postmortem age estimation. Translucency area represents a two-dimensional change and may reflect age variations better than length. Manually measuring area is challenging and this paper proposes a new digital method using commercially available computer hardware and software.

Accuracy of identifying juvenile/adult status from third molar development using prediction probabilities derived from logistic regression analysis.

The use of third molars in predicting juvenile/adult status ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Analyses of odontometric sexual dimorphism and sex assessment accuracy on a large sample.

Correct sex assessment of skeletonized human remains allows investigators to undertake a more focused search of missing persons' files to establish identity. Univariate and multivariate odontometric sex assessment has been explored in recent years on small sample sizes and have not used a test sample. Consequently, inconsistent results have been produced in terms of accuracy of sex allocation.

Are teeth useful in estimating stature?

Estimating stature is an important step in reconstructive identification of skeletonized and dismembered human remains. While numerous body parts such as the skull and long bones have been used for the purpose, the dentition has seldom been applied. The present study has ventured to ascertain the usefulness of tooth crown measurements in stature prediction.

The usefulness of Belgian formulae in third molar-based age assessment of Indians.

The third molars are one of few useful predictors for assessing the degree of maturity in adolescence and young adulthood. It has application in age estimation in the age group of 14-23 years, in general, and in juvenile/adult status prediction, in particular. Using a 10-stage grading of third molars, Gunst et al.

Are frontal sinuses useful indicators of sex?

Accurate sex prediction of skeletonised human remains excludes one-half of the population, enabling a more focussed search of missing persons' files. The skull is useful in sex assessment of skeletonised remains; however, its fragmentation precludes the use of all conventional craniofacial markers. The frontal bone may be recovered intact in fragmented remains and the sinuses therein may be useful in sex differentiation.

An assessment of the versatility of Kvaal's method of adult dental age estimation in Indians.

Objectives: Radiographic dental age estimation methods are viable in the living and deceased. One such method [Kvaal et al. Forensic Sci Int 1995;74:175-85] quantified secondary dentinal deposition indirectly through measurements of tooth and pulp lengths and widths.

Age estimation in Indians from extracted unsectioned teeth.

Teeth are useful indicators of age-at-death and non-destructive methods ensure preservation of dental evidentiary material which could be used for court presentation. No previous data exists on estimating age from extracted teeth per se in Indians. This paper examined four parameters-dental attrition, periodontal ligament (PDL) attachment level, root dentin translucency and root color-on a heterogeneous sample of 106 teeth extracted from as many subjects (age range = 20-78 years).

Perceptions and preferences on denture marking in an Indian sample.

Aim: Denture marking is useful in institutional settings and post-mortem identification. Numerous markers have been developed, and their advantages and limitations assessed previously; however, patient perception to denture marking is paramount. We evaluated this in an Indian sample and also gauged their preference for different markers.

Accuracy of predicting 18 years of age from mandibular third molar development in an Indian sample using Demirjian's ten-stage criteria.

Predicting 18 years of age can be crucial in forensic contexts. The third molar is the only tooth developing during this chronological period and has been used to estimate minority/majority status ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Age estimation in Indians using Demirjian's 8-teeth method.

Demirjian's grading of tooth calcification is widely used to assess age of individuals with developing dentitions. However, its application on numerous populations has resulted in wide variations in age estimates and consequent suggestions for the method's adaptation to the local sample. Conventionally, Demirjian's method utilized seven mandibular teeth on the left side.

Validity of the mandibular canine index (MCI) in sex prediction: Reassessment in an Indian sample.

The dentition's use in sex assessment has been explored and advocated owing to its strength and resistance to peri- and postmortem insults. Among the teeth, canines have shown the greatest sexual dimorphism; they are also known for greater resistance to pathological alterations and trauma. These factors have prompted some researchers to explore its use alone in sex prediction.

Odontometric sex assessment from logistic regression analysis.

Odontometric sex assessment is considered a useful adjunct to more robust predictors such as pelvic and cranial bones, and discriminant function analysis (DA) has been widely applied in dental sex assessment. Logistic regression analysis (LRA) is considered a better alternative, although still untested in odontometric sex prediction. This study examines the use of LRA in dental sex assessment and compares its success to DA.

Age estimation in Indians from pulp/tooth area ratio of mandibular canines.

In India, age estimation of living individuals is gaining importance, particularly in cases of child labour, ascertaining majority status and to assess disputed age in criminals. Previous studies on adult age prediction in Indians have focused on histological parameters, which are invasive in nature and not feasible in the living. Methods for age estimation in living adults make use of radiographs to indirectly measure the rate of secondary dentine deposition and studies have focused on ratios of linear measurements rather than absolute dimensions per se.

A new digital approach for measuring dentin translucency in forensic age estimation.

Assessment of age from the dentition constitutes an important step in constructing an identity profile of the decedent. Dentinal translucency is one of the morpho-histologic parameters considered best for dental age estimation, not only in terms of accuracy but also simplicity. By convention, translucency has been measured using calipers.

Odontometric sex assessment in Indians.

Sex determination of unidentified skeletal remains is important and various hard-tissue parameters have been evaluated towards this end. The dentition is considered as a useful adjunct in skeletal sex determination, particularly since teeth are resistant to postmortem destruction and fragmentation. Sex dimorphism in tooth size and the accuracy of odontometric sex prediction, is found to vary in different regions and researchers have advocated the need for population-specific data.

Usefulness of patient photograph as a marker for identifying denture-wearers in India.

Aim: Denture marking has been recommended for identifying the edentulous, both in day-to-day recognition when dentures are misplaced as well as in forensic scenarios. The purpose of this study was to test the use of patient photographs as a denture marker and to compare it with conventional marking systems as well as discussing its suitability in the Indian context.

Material And Methods: A photograph of the patient was taken and compared with a metal matrix band and optically readable laminated bar code in terms of preparation, ease of incorporation into the denture, readability following denture fabrication and changes on exposure to high temperatures (200-1300 °C).

Effectiveness of Bang and Ramm's formulae in age assessment of Indians from dentin translucency length.

Age assessment may be a crucial step in postmortem profiling leading to confirmative identification. Among the traditional dental parameters used for estimating age, root dentin translucency is considered to be least affected by external stimuli and most suitable for the purpose. Using this variable, Bang and Ramm in 1970 developed an elaborate method and formulae for predicting age in Norwegians, and its efficacy has been examined in Indians.

Limitations of the mandibular canine index in sex assessment.

Measuring teeth is a useful adjunct in sex assessment. Canines, in particular, have the greatest degree of sexual dimorphism, resist disease and survive postmortem trauma, rendering them highly valuable in identification. Hence, their exclusive use in odontometric sex assessment using the Mandibular Canine Index (MCI) has been advocated before.