title: Forensic dental age estimation by measuring root dentin translucency area using a new digital technique.
abstract: 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. Area and length were measured on 100 tooth sections (age range, 19-82 years) of 250 μm thickness. Regression analysis revealed lower standard error of estimate and higher correlation with age for length than for area (R = 0.62 vs. 0.60). However, test of regression formulae on a control sample (n = 33, 21-85 years) showed smaller mean absolute difference (8.3 vs. 8.8 years) and greater frequency of smaller errors (73% vs. 67% age estimates ≤ ± 10 years) for area than for length. These suggest that digital area measurements of root translucency may be used as an alternative to length in forensic age estimation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Odontology, S.D.M. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad, 580009, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ashith B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Acharya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012984:Software; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adobe Photoshop®; age prediction; area measurement; dentin transparency; forensic odontology; forensic science; regression analysis