Age Estimation of an Unidentified Deceased using Gustafson’s Method - A Case Report Nongmeikapam Dhimi1, Sreeshyla HS2, Rani Smitha3,*, Kumareswar Swathi4, Hegde Usha5, Nitin Priyanka6 1Post-Graduate Student, Department of Forensic Odontology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India 2Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India 3Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, JSS Medical College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India 4Lecturer, Course Coordinator, Department of Forensic Odontology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India 5Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India 6Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, JSS Dental College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India *Corresponding Author : Dr. Smitha Rani, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, JSS Medical College and Hospital, A Constituent college of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India, Phone : +91-9886673946, E-mail: smitharani@jssuni.edu.in
Online Published on 28 July, 2023. Abstract Introduction Determination of age is one of the crucial elements of establishing the identity of a person, and the tooth is one of the best parameters for identification, due to its resistance to decomposition. Aim To estimate the age of the unidentified deceased using Gustafson’s method and compare the difference between alleged age and estimated age. Materials and Methods An unidentified deceased male was brought by the police for postmortem examination. A post-mortem dental examination of the unidentified deceased was conducted and a premolar was extracted to estimate the age of the unidentified deceased. Gustafson’s method was employed as it is an established method of age estimation. A ground section of the extracted tooth was prepared and the six age-related changes given by Gustafson were viewed and analyzed under a microscope to estimate the age. Result The age determined by Gustafson’s technique showed difference from the alleged age stated by the police. Conclusion Multiple age estimation parameters including dental age estimation are required to be able to estimate a more accurate age, which will help to establish a positive identity. Top Keywords Dental Age Estimation, Postmortem, Unidentified Deceased, Forensic Odontology, Gustafson’s methos, Age Estimation. Top |