Write laboratory report in the following topic:
1. The Age estimation. within introduction, objective, procedures, results, discussion, conclusion, recommendation and reference.
Title: Age Estimation: A Comparative Study Using Dental Methodologies
Introduction:
Age estimation plays a critical role in forensic investigations, missing person cases, and legal matters. The accurate determination of an individual's age is crucial for establishing identity, providing proper healthcare, and facilitating legal processes. Dental methodologies have shown promise in estimating age due to the aging-related changes in teeth. This laboratory report aims to compare two commonly used dental methods, namely the Gustafson method and the Demirjian method, for age estimation.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy and reliability of the Gustafson and Demirjian methods to estimate age using dental characteristics. By examining a sample of known age individuals, this research aims to determine whether one method is more suitable than the other for accurate age estimation.
Procedures:
1. Obtain a sample of dental records from individuals with known ages (preferably from a forensic database).
2. Select a sample size of 50 individuals covering a broad range of ages (ranging from childhood to adulthood).
3. Gather relevant dental measurements required for age estimation using both the Gustafson and Demirjian methods.
4. Input the collected data into appropriate age estimation formulas for each method.
5. Compare the estimated ages obtained from both methods with the known ages of the individuals in the sample.
6. Analyze the results statistically to assess the accuracy and reliability of each method.
Results:
The results of this study demonstrated that both the Gustafson and Demirjian methods yielded reasonably accurate estimates of age. However, upon statistical analysis, it was found that the Gustafson method produced slightly more precise age estimates compared to the Demirjian method. The Gustafson method had a smaller margin of error and closer estimation of actual ages in the sample group.
Discussion:
The Gustafson method utilizes six dental features to estimate age accurately, including attrition, transparency, secondary dentin, periodontosis, cementum apposition, and root resorption. These characteristics collectively provided a more accurate age estimation compared to the Demirjian method, which primarily relies on dental development stages. It is important to consider that individual variations in dental characteristics and developmental patterns may influence the accuracy of age estimation in both methods.
Conclusion:
Based on the results obtained, the Gustafson method demonstrates greater accuracy and reliability in estimating age compared to the Demirjian method. However, it is noteworthy that combining multiple dental methodologies or incorporating other non-dental methods may further improve age estimation accuracy. Additional research and validation of these methods are necessary to establish comprehensive age estimation protocols.
Recommendation:
Considering the limitations and potential variations in each dental method, it is recommended to employ a multidisciplinary approach for age estimation. Incorporating other methods such as radiographic imaging, DNA analysis, and skeletal examination can enhance the accuracy and credibility of age estimation results. Moreover, further research and standardization of dental age estimation should be conducted to develop more comprehensive and universally applicable protocols.
References:
1. Gustafson G. Age determination on teeth. J Am Dent Assoc. 1950; 41(1): 45-54.
2. Demirjian A, Goldstein H, Tanner JM. A new system of dental age assessment. Hum Biol. 1973; 45(2): 211-227.