Application of Three Dental Methods of Adult Age Estimation from Intact Single Rooted Teeth to a Peruvian Sample

Authors: Ubelaker, Douglas H.¹; Parra, Roberto C.²

Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 53, Number 3, May 2008 , pp. 608-611(4)

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Abstract:

Methods of estimating adult age at death from such dental features as root translucency, root length, and the extent of periodontosis in intact single rooted teeth have proven useful in studies of modern individuals, especially in estimating age in older adults. Questions remain however, concerning the impact of regional and population variation on accuracy. To examine this issue, three approaches to age estimation were applied to a diverse sample of 100 individuals from Peru. Mean errors of estimation for all three approaches were similar to those originally reported, suggesting minimal impact of population variation of the features measured. A new regression equation, specifically for Peruvian samples, is provided.

Keywords: forensic science; skeletal age at death; adults; teeth; root transparency; Lamendin; Peru

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00699.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, MRC 112, Washington, DC 20560-0112. 2: Departamento de Antropología, Instituto de Medicina Legal del Perú, Av. Abancay 491, 6to Piso, Lima-01, Peru.

Publication date: 2008-05-01