Age estimation based on maxillary molar using two equations of average stage of attrition (ASA) in Deuteromalayid from Java
Armae Dianrevy (a), Dian Artanty (a), Ledy Ana Zulfatunnadiroh (a), Rachmadita Yoga Pratiwi (a), Myrtati Dyah Artaria(b*)
a) Forensic Science Study Program, Post Graduate Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya.
b) The Departement of Anthropology, FISIP, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Airlangga 4-6 Surabaya 60286, Indonesia
*myrtati.artaria[at]fisip.unair.ac.id
Abstract
Teeth are the strongest tissue in human body. They are not easily damaged even in a very long time. Daily mastication using the teeth causes attrition or tooth-wear. Estimating chronological age in forensic cases may be based on the dental attrition. The purpose of this study is to compare age estimates using regression equations based on the average stage of attrition (ASA) in Deuteromalayid skulls from Java who lived in early 1900s. The study was conducted by observation, scoring maxillary molar in 13 samples that have information of age. The average age of the sample was 35.38 years. The age of the individuals tends to be younger when we use the first regression equation. Using the second regression equation, the age tends to be older. When we calculate the average using the two equations, it was 27.22 years, and 40.78 years. People around the world use their teeth differently, and have different culture of food processing. This may result in differences of the degree of attrition. We suggest that we should use the regression equation from a different population cautiously, because it may result in inaccurate estimate of chronological age.
Keywords: age estimation, average stage of attrition, attrition, postmortem, forensic anthropology
Topic: Law, Police and Forensic