title: Accuracy of identifying juvenile/adult status from third molar development using prediction probabilities derived from logistic regression analysis.
abstract: The use of third molars in predicting juvenile/adult status (</≥ 18 years) has important legal ramifications. Third molar development was assessed using Köhler's grading on 268 orthopantomograms of Indian subjects. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine allocation accuracy of juvenile/adult status and the level of probability that is "reliable" in predicting juvenile/adult status. Allocation accuracies ranged between 75.8% and 78.2% for the sexes combined, with minimal male-female differences. Adults were categorized more accurately than juveniles, suggesting that Köhler's grading puts Indian juveniles at greater risk of unwarranted punishment. In both sexes, juvenile/adult status was "reliably" predicted when the probability was >80% using individual third molars (excepting the lower right third molar in males); combining upper and lower third molars on the left/right sides, "reliable" predictions were possible when the probability was >80% and >90% for females and males, respectively. Overall, "reliable" juvenile/adult status prediction was achieved in c. 36% of subjects.
authors: Department of Forensic Odontology, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, 580009, Karnataka, India.
authors: Ashith B
authors: AB
authors: Acharya
authors: Biyas
authors: B
authors: Bhowmik
authors: Venkatesh G
authors: VG
authors: Naikmasur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014074:Tooth Calcification; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: India; Köhler's grading; age estimation; age-group allocation; forensic odontology; forensic science; majority status; minority status; tooth calcification