Reliability and validity of eight dental age estimation methods for adults.
This paper evaluates the reliability and validity of eight published dental age estimation methods for adults that may aid in victim identification. Age was calculated on 20 Caucasian teeth of known age according to the methods of Kvaal (for in situ and extracted teeth), Solheim (for in situ and sectioned teeth), Lamendin (for extracted teeth), Johanson (for sectioned teeth) and Bang (for extracted and sectioned teeth) by one independent observer. For each method, mean age error and standard error were assessed as the measures of accuracy and precision. In addition, method simplicity, requirements for tooth preparation and the equipment necessary were assessed and recommendations given for forensic use in various situations. Methods for sectioned teeth gave more reliable results when compared to methods for intact teeth.
Soomer
Helena
H
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. helena.soomer@helsinki.fi
Ranta
Helena
H
Lincoln
Michael J
MJ
Penttilä
Antti
A
Leibur
Edvitar
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D044465:White People