ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 September 2003
Page Count: 6

The Use of Dental Aging Techniques in Forensic Odontological Practice
(Received 26 April 2003; accepted 26 April 2003)

Abstract

Many studies have been published describing numerous techniques to determine the aging of individuals from dental tissues. However, few case reports demonstrate how such techniques can be employed by the forensic odontologist undertaking casework. Indeed, many of the techniques are highly complex and utilize equipment not generally available to odontologists outside of the university or hospital systems. This paper describes five cases where dental aging was used for identification in the absence of materials for any other techniques. In each case the Bang and Ramm method was employed using sectioned teeth. Teeth were sectioned, photographed, and scaled in image analysis software. Bang and Ramm equations were employed, and in each case an age was derived. The estimated age was supplied to the coroner, who was able to use the information to positively identify five individuals for whom no other identification system was feasible.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic odontology, aging, dentine, translucency, case report

Paper ID: JFS2003066
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003066
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