Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 447-450

Journal: Science & Justice

Volume number: 54

Issue number: 6

ISSN: 1355-0306

eISSN: 1876-4452

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2014.08.005

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

The increased number of adolescents and young adults with unknown or inaccurately given date of birth is a current issue in justice and legal medicine. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which third molar calcification stages assessed on panoramic X-rays could be useful as additional criteria for forensic age estimation in living individuals, focusing on the legally important ages 17 and 18.

In a retrospective multi-center study, the developmental stage of each individual's third molar was analyzed using Demirjian's scale in 2360 cases. Additionally, sex, age and ancestry were assessed.

Individuals with the lowest calcification stage of all present molars in stage H were >= 18 years with a likelihood of >= 99.05% in the female (n = 388), and >= 99.24% in the male (n = 482) population.

The lowest calcification stage of all present third molars proved to be useful as an additional reliable criterion for the determination of an age >= 18 years. (C) 2014 Forensic Science Society. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Streckbein, P., Reichert, I., Verhoff, M., Boedeker, R., Kaehling, C., Wilbrand, J., et al. (2014) Estimation of legal age using calcification stages of third molars in living individuals, Science & Justice, 54(6), pp. 447-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2014.08.005

APA Citation style: Streckbein, P., Reichert, I., Verhoff, M., Boedeker, R., Kaehling, C., Wilbrand, J., Schaaf, H., Howaldt, H., & May, A. (2014). Estimation of legal age using calcification stages of third molars in living individuals. Science & Justice. 54(6), 447-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2014.08.005