Original Article

Year : 2017 | Volume : 2 | Issue : 1 | Page : 22 -26

Are Teeth an Adjunctive for Age Estimation in Acid Environment?

Prashant Kumar, Juveria Arshi, Satish BNVS, Maharudrappa Basnaker, Shrikala Puranik

From the Department of Oral Pathology, H. K. E’S S. Nijalingappa Institute of Dental Sciences and Research,

Gulbarga, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background:

Human identification in mass disasters, homicide, and acid attacks is possible because teeth are the only durable structures that remain. In chemical accidents such as acid attacks or uneventful accident in chemical industries, the acids mask the victim’s identification when skeletal structures are destroyed and soft tissues cannot provide reliable information.

Aims and Objectives:

To observe the morphological changes of teeth exposed to acid environment and to aid in identification and age estimation of an individual.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty noncarious teeth were taken for the study. Ten teeth each were immersed in concentrated (Conc.) HCl, Conc. HNO3, Conc. H2 SO4 , aqua regia, Conc. acetic acid, and Conc. formic acid. Teeth were retrieved, washed in distilled water, dried, photographed, and radiographed at intervals of time and again placed in their corresponding acids. Age estimation was done using Kvaal method.

Statistical Analysis:

statistical analysis was done using Student’s t-test.

Results and Conclusion:

The exact age of the victim is not possible in all cases. We can get an approximate age range with certain acids such as H2 SO4, acetic acid, and formic acid, whereas with Conc. HCl, Conc. HNO3 , and aqua regia, age estimation is possible for a certain period of time.

Key Words: Acid environment, age estimation, Kvaal method, radiographs

How to cite this article:

Kumar P, Arshi J, Satish B, Basnaker M, Puranik S. Are teeth an adjunctive for age estimation in acid environment? Int J Forensic Odontol 2017;2:22-6.