Radiographic evaluation of Gustafson’s criteria for the purpose of forensic age diagnostics

Abstract

The main criteria used in dental age estimation in living young individuals are mineralisation and eruption of the third molars. In order to further diversify the spectrum of characteristics after completion of third molar development, tests were undertaken to determine whether the characteristics studied by Gustafson can be ascertained with the required forensic certainty with the aid of the orthopantomogram and whether the evaluation of these could render forensic odontological age diagnoses possible beyond the 18th year of life. For this purpose, 1,299 conventionally produced orthopantomograms of 650 female and 649 male Germans aged from 15 to 40 years were studied. The characteristics of secondary dentin formation, cementum apposition, periodontal recession and attrition were evaluated in all the mandibular premolars. The correlation of the individual characteristics with chronological age was studied with the aid of a multiple regression analysis in which chronological age formed the dependent variable. Depending on the tooth studied, the R values amounted to 0.65 to 0.73; the standard error of estimate was 5.3 to 5.7 years. Basically, the regression equations calculated can be recommended for age estimation in living individuals, although it should be borne in mind that the applicability of the new method presented is limited by the quality of the X-ray images.

Age estimation by multidetector CT images of the sagittal suture

“…However, after the permanent dentition is established, typically at around 14 years of age, age estimation becomes increasingly difficult, and assessment of the mineralization of the third molars is the method of choice [26]. A study using this method on German individuals aged 15–40 years reported a standard error in age estimation of 5.3–5.7 years [27]. However, the use of this method in adults, particularly after middle age, is still controversial [28].…”

A Retrospective Demographic and Clinicopathologic Review of Deaths Resulting from Minefield Explosions During Migrants’ Attempts to Enter Greece from Turkey Between 1997 and 2008

“…In cases in which decedents and injured migrants coexisted, additional information about the victims was derived from the inpatients of the same border crossing group. The estimation of age in cadavers was performed by using the Gustafson dental method of aging , while through utilizing human skeletal remains, the aging of the victims was performed with reference to the existence and the extent of synostosis of the cranial sutures and epiphyses (cranial suture closure and epiphyseal closure method) . Βiological material was obtained from all unidentified cadavers for their possible subsequent identification through DNA.…”

Examination of ossification of the distal radial epiphysis using magnetic resonance imaging. New insights for age estimation in young footballers in FIFA tournaments

“…Over the past 20 years, scientific insights gained in the field of age diagnosis in living persons have been mainly inspired in an almost unprecedented manner by the specific requirements of practical forensic work [1][2][3][4][5][6]. However, application of the results of this development is not restricted to conventional medical and legal contexts.…”