Aspartic acid racemization of root dentin used for dental age estimation in a Polish population sample

• Published in: Forensic science, medicine, and pathology medicine, and pathology, 2018-09, Vol.14 (3), p.285-294
• Main Authors: Wochna, Katarzyna, Bonikowski, Radosław, Śmigielski, Janusz, Berent, Jarosław
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Determination by Teeth - methods; Aged; Aspartate; Aspartic Acid - chemistry; Chromatography; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Dentin - chemistry; Female; Forensic Medicine; Forensic sciences; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Mass spectrometry; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original; Original Article; Pathology; Poland; Tooth Crown - chemistry; Tooth Root - chemistry; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1547-769X; 1556-2891
• DOI: 10.1007/s12024-018-9984-8

Precise age determination of unidentified bodies and human remains is one of the essential tasks of forensic science. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of using the enantiomeric composition of aspartic acid racemization in root and crown dentin for dental age estimation using a Polish population sample. Coronal and root dentin from four teeth groups from the mandible were studied using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated a very high correlation between the chronological age and enantiomeric composition in both of the dentin samples. Individual linear equations of root dentin with correlation coefficients between 0.96 and 0.98 and a standard estimation error of ±2.95–4.84 years validated the application of aspartic acid racemization as a significant practical contribution to everyday forensic medical practice. Discrepancies in methodological aspects and modifications that simplify the protocol are presented.