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Accurate methods of age estimation are more essential than ever due to the rise in undocumented individuals without proper identification, often linked to illegal immigration and criminal activities. This absence of reliable records presents challenges within the legal systems, where age thresholds in the context of children's rights vary across countries. Age 14 has global significance, as established by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the EU for administrative purposes. Accurate age estimation is crucial in medical decisions, reproductive health, and forensics. This study focuses on age estimation via dental radiographs, proposing a method for estimating the likelihood of having attained the age of 14. Orthopantomograms were analyzed from two samples, 191 Italian children (aged 5–15) and 822 Chilean subjects (aged 11–22), using dental maturity indices. These indices evaluated open tooth apices and complete root development. Statistical analysis confirmed the method's reliability in identifying individuals aged 14 or older, with sex-specific cut-offs. The proposed method particularly advocates an approach based on dental mineralization, which could surpass those relying on bone growth. The collaboration between medical experts, including pediatricians and diagnostic imaging specialists, is vital for standardized age estimation strategies. Ethical concerns regarding radiation exposure and accountability are recognized, although the method's low radiation doses are deemed acceptable. The proposed method will help health professionals to accurately predict whether or not the 14-year threshold has been reached, opening up new avenues of medico-legal interest and laying the foundations for a legal framework that would allow the pediatrician, when involved, to use a valid and recognized diagnostic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Roberto Cameriere and Ivan Galić equally contributed to this paper. This paper aims to propose a statistical model to assess pubertal growth spurt using the ratio of the anterior height projection to the posterior (Vba) of the fourth cervical vertebra body (C4) on cephalograms and to calculate the residual proportion of skeletal maturation and the time for the pubertal growth spurt to end for a given Vba. A sample of 538 cephalograms from healthy-living children aged between 5 and 15 years was analyzed. A segmented regression model was used to explain the different Vba stages relative to the pubertal growth spurt. In addition, the time to achieve skeletal maturation was evaluated for a given Vba between the beginning (Vba1) and the end (Vba2) of the pubertal growth spurt. A longitudinal sample of 25 males and 25 females was analyzed to validate the proposed method. The values of Vba corresponding to higher pubertal development rate ranged from Vba1 = 0.677 (95%CI, 0.644–0.711) to Vba2 = 0.966 (95%CI, 0.905–1.028) and from Vba1 = 0.669 (95%CI, 0.645–0.693) to Vba2 = 1.073 (95%CI, 1.044–1.101) in males and females, respectively. The validation process results showed that our model did not produce any incorrect forecasts. The proposed method estimates the beginning and the end of the pubertal growth spurt together with the residual proportion of skeletal maturation for a given Vba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aimed to validate the accuracy of five different formulas based on the Cameriere method for age estimation in Kenyan children. We analyzed panoramic radiographs of 350 Kenyan children (184 males and 166 females) aged between 6 and 13 years. The dental development of each child was estimated by the analysis of the first seven left permanent teeth in the left mandible. Dental age was calculated by the Italian, European, North German, Malaysian, and South African black formulas previously published in peer-review journals. The children's mean chronological age (CA) was 9.34 ± 2.02 years and 9.26 ± 2.01 years for males and females. In males, the South-African formula overestimated CA least, by 0.12 years, followed by the Italian formula by 0.22 years, the European formula by 0.37 years, the Malaysian formula by 0.48 years, and the North-German formula overestimated the most, by 0.57 years. In females, the South-African formula underestimated CA by − 0.12 years. The Italian overestimated by 0.12 years, followed by the North-German formula by 0.29 years, the European formula by 0.31 years, and the Malaysian formula by 0.40 years. The Italian formula provided the best accuracy in the absolute difference within ± 1 year, by 75.72% and 75%, following the North-German formula by 66.47% and 70.27% for males and females, respectively. Therefore, the findings suggest that the Italian formula best estimates dental age in Kenyan children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the accuracy of Cameriere's method based on normalized measurement of open apices of developing permanent teeth (xi) and a number of teeth with closed apices (N0) in a sample of 121 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of children (60 males and 61 females), aged between 5 and 13 years from Krakow, Poland. Intra-class correlation coefficient on randomly selected 30 CBCT scans showed good to exceptional intra-observer, and inter-observer agreement of normalized open apices, while Kappa score showed an absolute agreement of the number of teeth with complete maturation. Dental age overestimated by 0.17 years (p = 0.120) and 0.18 years (p = 0.149) in males and females, respectively. The mean absolute errors between dental and chronological age of MAE between dental and chronological age of the complete sample were 0.73 years and 0.77 years in males and females, respectively. In conclusion, the present results support usage of Cameriere's method for age estimation in Polish children in cases where CBCT scans are available and previously taken for a specific clinical indication and taking into account the more demanding procedure of measuring variables in a non-orthogonal projection of teeth compared to a panoramic image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to test the accuracy of the third molar maturity index ( I 3 M ) cut-off value (0.08) to distinguish between individuals above and below the adult age of legal responsibility (18 years) in a Russian population. A sample of 571 digital panoramic radiographs of healthy Russian minors and young adults (363 females and 208 males), aged between 14 and 24 years, was evaluated. The lower left third molars were analyzed by applying the cut-off value of 0.08 determined by Cameriere et al. (2008). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient ( ρ c ) and Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) showed that repeatability and reproducibility are high for both intra- and interobserver errors. The I 3 M value decreased with age in both sexes. Age distribution gradually decreases as I 3 M increases in both girls and boys. In the male group, molar maturity stages 0-0.04, 0.04-0.08, 0.08-0.3, 0.3-0.5, and 0.9-1.4 were reached slightly earlier than in the female group. The results demonstrated that sensitivity is 0.96 in boys and 0.93 in girls; associated specificity values were both 0.98. The cut-off value of I 3 M is statistically robust and thus valid for forensic application in a Russian population to determine whether or not a subject has reached 18 years of age. Finally, we compared our results with those of other studies in which the same I 3 M cut-off value was tested on different populations. The method is novel as it is reliable and easily reproducible, thus ensuring a universal way of comparing the results obtained (based on a cut-off value) among many populations, in order to develop an ever-increasing database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to develop a specific formula to estimate age in a Brazilian adult population and to compare the original formula from Cameriere to this Brazilian formula. The sample comprised 1,772 periapical radiographs from 443 subjects (219 men, 224 women) that were organized into 12 groups according to sex (men or women) and age (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 years and older). The films were analyzed using the criteria described by Cameriere et al. (2004) and Adobe Photoshop®. We obtained a mean error of 8.56 (SD = 5.80) years for tooth 13, 7.99 (SD = 5.78) years for tooth 23, 8.38 (SD = 6.26) years for tooth 33, and 8.20 (SD = 6.54) years for tooth 43. When teeth were combined in the analysis, we observed lower mean errors. The Brazilian formula developed from this sample group was more accurate than Cameriere's formula. However, other factors must be considered to improve age estimates in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age estimation is a major step in forensic and legal procedures. Its relevance has been increasing due to growing society issues, such as identification of missing people, crimes against minors or lack of valid identification papers from locals or foreigners. Evaluation of the cut-off value of the Third Molar Maturation Index (I3M) = 0.08 for discriminating minors from adults in the Portuguese population. The left lower third molars were analysed by applying a specific cut-off value of 0.08 determined by Cameriere et al. in 2008. A sample of 778 digital panoramic radiographs of a representative Portuguese sample (442 females and 336 males), in the age range of 12–24 years (mean age 17.7 ± 2.98 years in females and 18.1 ± 3.0 years in males), was retrospectively evaluated. I3M decreased as the real age gradually increased in both sexes. The 0.08 cut-off score was valuable in discriminating adults from minors. According to the pooled results, the accuracy, by means of area under the curve, was 92.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91.0–94.6%). The proportion of correctly classified subjects (sensitivity) was 90.7% (95% CI 88.7–92.8%) and the specificity was 94.9% (95% CI 93.3–96.4%). The results show that I3M is a valuable method to differentiate minors from adults in the Portuguese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cross-sectional study has two-fold aims: the first is to assess new cut-offs at the legal age thresholds (LATs) of 14 and 16 years old and the second is to validate the cut-off of third molar index I3M=0.08 for 18 years of age in Chilean people. Orthopantomographs from 822 Chilean children aged from 11 to 22 (472 girls and 350 boys) were analysed. For LAT of 14 years, cut-offs were found using the ROC curves singly for boys and girls. The cut-offs for boys were I2M=0.16 and I3M=0.73 while for girls we obtained I2M=0.10 and I3M=0.77. For LAT of 16 years we obtained the same cut-offs regardless of gender, which were 0.06 and 0.36 for I2M and I3M respectively. Concerning the validity of I3M cut-off for 18 years old in Chilean population, the proportion of correctly classified individuals was 83% and estimated post-test probability, PPV, was 93.2%, with a 95% confidence interval equals to 91.3%, 94.6%. Hence, the probability that a subject positive on the test was 18 years of age or older was 93.2%, confirming the validation of the I3M cut-off for Chilean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Monti 'e Prama site, made famous by the discovery of numerous large stone statues "The Monti 'e Prama giants", is a necropolis located in Sardinia, dated to the X - IX BC. The statues, all depicting men: archers, boxers and fencers, were found collapsed and fragmented, in the immediate vicinity of the burials. The sample of inhumated skeletons consists of 41 individuals, almost all males, who died when adolescents, young adults or, more rarely, mature. Neither children nor elders were present. An interesting question is whether the statues depicted the deceased or could have come from a temple located elsewhere. In this regard, the diagnosis of the age at death is an element of considerable importance, but the skeletal age is difficult to determine in this sample because of the bad state of preservation of the bones, while the teeth are well preserved and have allowed us to reconstruct a seriation in order to seniority on the basis of wear. Since tooth wear is a weak indicator of age, we also used a method based on the deposition of secondary dentine, by the pulp area/tooth area ratio calculation, which gets a greater precision. It was found that the correlation between the degree of wear and pulp area/tooth area ratio is somewhat low, indicating that the two processes, although both age-dependent, do not have a very similar trend. It was also noted that the method of pulp area / tooth area ratio tends to "make the individuals grow old" in cases of discrepancy, but in general confirms the young age of many adults and the absence of the elderly. In this sense, it confirms even the possibility of an association between the deceased and the statues of young athletes or warriors. The results of pulp area/tooth area ratio method, by moving the sample as a whole to ages slightly more advanced than those suggested by wear, offers the hypothesis that the community was characterized by alimentary habits involving a little wearing mastication activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age estimation of adult individuals is an important problem in forensic human identification. This is usually performed by methods based on age-related changes of human skeleton. In the present paper, the pulp/tooth ratio in peri-apical X-rays of canine is used for age estimation purposes. An image segmentation method is proposed for the automatic computation of the above mentioned area, and its implementation by a Matlab code is used to obtain a practical study on 70 canine radiographies of distinct known aged individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Consistent overestimation of age was reported when Demirjian's method was applied. • Use of third molar maturity index (I 3 M) as age marker was tested for first time. • Regression models were derived using I 3 M as independent and age as dependent variable. • Overestimation in age by 0.2 years in boys and 0.13 years in girls was observed. • We conclude by recommending new regression models to estimate age in children and sub-adults. This paper concerns a method to estimate age in children using third molar maturity index (I 3 M) as independent variable and age as the dependent variable. Total of 1283 digital orthopantomograms (OPTs) of south Indian children aged between 7 and 22 years was included. Training sample of 933 OPTs was used to derive regression formulae, and validation sample of 350 OPTs used to verify accuracy of newly derived regression models. Regression analysis performed revealed that cubic function gave the best correlation between the studied variables. The models exhibited a high correlation coefficient for third molar development in both sexes (0.81 for boys and 0.84 for girls). When new models were verified, slight overestimation of dental age i.e., 0.2 years in boys and 0.13 years in girls was observed. Therefore, we conclude by recommending newly derived regression models as they provided better age predicting performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The legal age of adulthood in Japan become 18 years old in the future. • The study tested for discriminating minors and adults of Japanese. • The cut-off value of third molar maturity index (I 3M) = 0.08 was applied. • The values of sensitivity and specificity showed high level. • I 3M is capable of discriminating adults and minors in Japanese. To evaluate the cut-off value of third molar maturity index (I 3M) = 0.08 for discriminating minors from adults in Japanese population. 276 panoramic radiographs of healthy Japanese subjects (139 girls and 137 boys) age range from 14 to 24 years were evaluated. ICC (Intra-class correlation coefficient) for intra-rater and inter-rater agreement of I 3M was 99.6% (95% CI 98.6–99.9%) and 98.9% (95% CI 98.8–99.9%) respectively. The proportion of correctly classified in girls was 87% (95% CI 81–93%) and in boys was 91% (95% CI 87–96%). The sensitivity of the test in girls and boys was 84% (95% CI 77–92%) and 89% (95% CI 83–95%) respectively and specificity was 93% (95% CI 85–100%) and 96% (95% CI 90–100%) in girls and in boys. The PPV (Positive Predictive Value) was 87% (95% CI 69–95%) in girls and 92% (95% CI 74–98%) in boys. The results of the study show that I 3M is capable of discriminating adults and minors in subjects around legal age of 18 years old in Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim From a medico-legal and penalty point of view, it is essential to conclude if an individual is a minor or an adult (18 years of age). Methods based on the third molar development have been used for this purpose. The present article aims to verify the Nolla’s stages of mineralization of the third molars and a third molar maturity index (I 3M ) which is based on the measures of the projections of open apices normalized by their height in the sample of Montenegrins. Method and sample The sample consisted of 683 panoramic radiographs (324 males and 359 females) between 13 and 24 years of age. The specific mineralization stages of Nolla and the cut-off value of I 3M  < 0.08 was used to discriminate adults and minors. Results The best performance in discriminating adults and minors was for I 3M  < 0.08 followed by the Nolla stage 9. For I 3M  < 0.08 the results demonstrated high sensitivity of 0.92 and 0.82 and specificity of 0.94 and 0.96 in males and females, respectively. The proportions of correctly classified individuals were 0.93 in males and 0.89 in females. The Nolla stage 9 demonstrated the sensitivity of 0.95 and 0.85 and the specificity of 0.84 and 0.90 in males and females, respectively. The proportions of correctly classified individuals were 0.90 in males and 0.87 in females. Conclusion The suggested value of I 3M  < 0.08 followed by Nolla stage 9 can be used to discriminate adults from minors with high specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the accuracy of Demirjian’s stages (DS) and Cameriere’s third molar maturity index cut-off value ( I 3M < 0.08) to estimate the age of majority on panoramic radiographs (OPTs) from the dental clinic of the Scientific University of the South (UCSUR), Lima, Peru. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on the sample of 208 digital panoramic radiographs of patients aged 14–22 years examined during 2015 in UCSUR. The left lower third molars were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop® CS6. An effectiveness of specific DS and I 3M < 0.08 was evaluated by using accurate classification, sensitivity, specificity, positive ( LR +) and negative ( LR− ) likelihood ratios and Bayes post-test probability ( p ). Results Only G and H stages were practical for classify adults and minors in the tested sample, while I 3M < 0.08 showed the best performance in both sexes. For I 3M < 0.08, the accurate classification, sensitivity and specificity were 0.96, 0.96, 0.96 and 0.90, 0.84 and 0.95 in males and females, respectively. Values of LR +, LR − and p were 24.96, 0.04, 0.97 and 15.68, 0.17, 0.95 in males and females, respectively. Conclusion The specific cut-off value of third molar maturity index ( I 3M < 0.08) showed to be more accurate in discriminating adults and minors in Peruvian sample when a test with high sensitivity and specificity is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the moment, a large number of asylum seekers from the Middle East are passing through Serbia. Most of them do not have identification documents. Also, the past wars in the Balkan region have left many unidentified victims and missing persons. From a legal point of view, it is crucial to determine whether a person is a minor or an adult (≥18 years of age). In recent years, methods based on the third molar development have been used for this purpose. The present article aims to verify the third molar maturity index (I3M) based on the correlation between the chronological age and normalized measures of the open apices and height of the third mandibular molar. The sample consisted of 598 panoramic radiographs (290 males and 299 females) from 13 to 24 years of age. The cut-off value of I3M=0.08 was used to discriminate adults and minors. The results demonstrated high sensitivity (0.96, 0.86) and specificity (0.94, 0.98) in males and females, respectively. The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 0.95 in males and 0.91 in females. In conclusion, the suggested value of I3M=0.08 can be used on Serbian population with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copper Age necropolis of Forlì Celletta dei Passeri was discovered in 2009 and excavated under the direction of M. Miari between 2009 and 2010. More than 70 tombs were brought to light and several still wait to be excavated. The area extends over 5.000 square metres and all the burials are simply dug in the ground and mostly W-NW and S-SW oriented. The grave goods are represented by pottery, copper axes, copper daggers and flint artifacts. The record of taphonomical data allowed us to recognize the practice of manipulation and reopening of the graves and peculiar burial practices. The human sample is formed by 40 adults and 10 juveniles (18 males, 7 females and 15 undetermined among the adults) and a major problem in paleobiological study was represented by the fragmentation and incompleteness of the skeletal remains. Several regions couldn't even be taken into consideration (sternal ends of ribs, pubic symphyses, cranial sutures), while as it is well known, the degree of dental wear, especially in prehistoric times, is highly biased by attrition, contaminants in food, extra-alimentary use of teeth. Therefore the use of the Cameriere method represented a good solution to fill the gap in the data collected through traditional age determination diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Age of 14 years is set to determine the minimum age for criminal responsibility. • Maturity index (IPM) of mandibular first and second premolars was studied. • Cut-off values of IPM 1 < 0.01 and IPM 2 < 0.02 for both teeth were determined. • The combined predictor IPM 1 + IPM 2 < 0.02 shows the highest specificity and better probability. • Mineralization of first and second premolars could be useful in predicting age over 14 years. Age estimation is an integral part of forensic medical and dental practice. In many countries, the age threshold of 14 years is set to determine the minimum age for criminal responsibility. In the present study, the authors studied the final maturation of the first (IPM 1) and second mandibular premolars (IPM 2) by Cameriere maturity index and determined cut-offs at the age threshold of 14 years, and validate on the test sample. Orthopantomograms of 960 healthy south Indian children and sub-adults (480 boys and 480 girls) aged between 10 and 18 were analysed, 640 as training sample and 320 as a test sample. The results of logistic regression analysis with age (

• Correct assessment of legal adult age is critical from the medical or legal point of view. • The third molar maturity index was tested in discriminating adults from minors in the Eastern China. • I 3M <0.08 showed a better accurate classification of adults from minors in males (92%) than in females (85.8%). • The sensitivity was 75% and 91.9% while specificity was 100% and 92% in females and males, respectively. • A cut-off value I 3M <0.12 showed some better accuracy only in females. Having a reliable, inexpensive and simple method to estimate 18 years of age would be of help in the forensic field. This study aimed to test the accuracy of the third molar maturity index (I 3M) in indicating the legal adult age of 18 years. This retrospective cross-sectional study analysed 450 digital panoramic images of Eastern Chinese children and young adults (226 females and 224 males) aged between 14 and 22 years. A cut-off value of I 3M < 0.08 was tested in discriminating adults from minors for both sex. For females, the sensitivity of the test (Se) was 75.0%, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 67.5% to 82.5%. The specificity of the test (Sp) was 100%. The proportion accurately classified (Ac) individuals was 85.8% (95%CI, 81.3% to 90.4%). The Bayes post-test probability was 100% (93.6% to 100%). For males, Se, Sp and Ac were 91.9% (95%CI, 87.1% to 96.7%), 92.0%(95%CI, 86.7% to 97.3%) and 92% (95%CI, 88.4% to 95.5%), respectively. The Bayes post-test probabilities was 92% (95%CI, 88.4% to 95.5%). Males were ahead in the development of third molars comparing to females according to I 3M. A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that both I 3M and sex contribute to the regression model to discriminate adults (≥18 years) from minors (<18 years), while a receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis indicated some better accuracy of I 3M < 0.12 in females, without statistically significant difference when compared to I 3M < 0.08. The results of this study show that the cut-off value of I 3M < 0.08 may help to discriminate Eastern Chinese adults from minors. However, further study should evaluate the usefulness and possible variability of I 3M cut-off value in a specific population before used for legal and forensic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of age in living subjects is today a significant issue because of the increase in the situations in which it arises and its legal consequences. In line with the Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics of the German Association of Legal Medicine's recommendations, it is based on the concomitant use of physical examination and methods for estimating bone age and dental age. Given the variations between the populations, the use of the latter requires their validation on all the ethnic groups on which they can be used. This aim of this study was to access the interest of the Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I3M) to indicate if an individual had reached the age of 18 in a sample of individuals from southeastern France. The studied sample consisted of OPTs 339 (184 females and 155 males) subjects aged between 14 and 22 years old. A logistic regression analysis with the adult age and minor age as dichotomous dependent variable and gender and I3M as predictor variables showed that gender was not statistically significant in discriminating adults and minors. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed the best discrimination performance of the specific cut-off value of I3M<0.08 in discriminating adults from minors. The proportion of accurate classification was 0.897 and 0.916 for females and males, respectively. The specificity (Sp) and sensitivity (Se) results for females were 0.962 and 0.813, respectively. Sp and Se for males were 0.953 and 0.871, respectively. The Bayes post-test probability was 0.961 and 0.955 in females and males respectively. Obtained results showed that a cut-off value of I3M<0.08 may be an additional tool for indicating adult age in the tested population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiological examination of the third molar is done in living individuals for estimation of chronological age, especially in the late adolescence. The aim of this study was to assess the application of Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I3M) to determine whether an individual is 18 years or older (adult) or younger than 18 years (minor) in a sample of Dutch individuals. The sample consisted of panoramic images of 360 individuals aged between 14 and 22 years old. Three observers performed the measurements. Gender was not statistically significant in discriminating adults and minors. The highest value of the Youden index of the receiver operating curve analysis was for the value of I3M<0.08 in discriminating individuals as minor or adult. The specificity (Sp) and sensitivity (Se) results for females were 96.3% and 72.7% respectively. The Sp and Se for males were 95.0% and 84.0% respectively. The probabilities of correctly classified individuals were 83.3% and 88.9%, and Bayes post-test probability was 96.3% and 95.7% in females and males respectively. Obtained results showed that the specific cut-off point of I3M<0.08 may be a useful and reliable method for adult age assessment in a Dutch population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to test the accuracy of cut-off value of 0.08 by measurement of third molar index (I3M) in assessing legal adult age of 18 years in a sample of Colombian children and young adults. Digital orthopantomographs of 288 Colombian children and young adults (163 girls and 125 boys), aged between 13 and 22 years, were analysed. Concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) and κ statistics (Cohen's Kappa coefficient) showed that repeatability and reproducibility are high for both intra- and inter-observer error. κ statistics for intra- and inter-observer agreement in decision on adult or minor was 0.913 and 0.877, respectively. Age distribution gradually decreases as I3M increases in both girls and boys. For girls, the sensitivity test was 95.1% (95% CI 87.1%-95%) and specificity was 93.8% (95% CI 87.1%-98.8%). The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 95.1%. For boys, the sensitivity test was 91.7% (95% CI 85.1%-96.8%) and specificity was 90.6% (95% CI 82.1%-97.8%). The proportion of correctly classified individuals was 89.7%. The cut-off value of 0.08 is highly useful to determine if a subject is 18 years of age or older or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of real age of an individual is one of the main challenges in forensic science. For penal and criminal law, as well as general legislation, it is necessary to determine whether the person is older or younger than 18 years, in other words an adult or a minor? This becomes especially important when an individual lacks personal documents or other means of identification. Aim of this study was to evaluate applicability of third molar in assessing 18 years of age in Croatian individuals. Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I3M) of 0.08, by measuring of the open apices of the teeth, was verified in sample of 1336 Orthopantomograms (OPGs) aged between 14 to 23 years. Chronological age gradually decreases as I3M increases in both genders. Males showed statistically significant advanced maturation when I3M was between 0.0 and 0.3 value. The results show that the sensitivity of the test for 0.08 value was 84.3% (95%CI 80.6%, 87.5%) and 91.2% (95%CI 88.7%, 93.1) in females and males, respectively. Specificity was 95.4% (95%CI 92.5%, 97.5%) and 91.9% (95%CI 88.8%, 94.3%) in females and males, respectively. The proportions of accurately classified males were 88.8% and 91.5% for females. The estimated post-test probabilities, of individuals who scored positive on the test (i.e., I3M < 0.08) as having 18 years of age or more, were 94.5% and 96.5% in females and males, respectively. Therefore, the probability that a Croatian individual, positive on the test (i.e., I3M < 0.08), was 18 years of age or older were 94.5% and 96.5% in females and males, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age at death estimation is one of the main components of the anthropological study and is the basis of demographic studies conducted on ancient peoples. However, the different methods commonly used in anthropology for adult age at death determination provide estimates of the age in the form of wide intervals. This happens regardless of the state of preservation of bones, even if in case of a poorly preserved skeletons we can only determine the individual as an adult. The consequence is the inability to develop demographic studies with a good degree of reliability. Several age estimation methods apply the various forms of tooth modification, including wear, root dentine transparency, tooth cementum annulation, racemization of aspartic acid, and apposition of secondary dentine. Wear and the apposition of secondary dentine are the currently available non-destructive methods. Tooth wear is influenced by various external factors (masticatory function, type of food, timing and sequence of tooth eruption, tooth form, position of teeth, thickness and hardness of enamel, and predisposition to enamel hypoplasia) while the apposition of secondary dentine (Cameriere's method) is a continuing, regular process, which is only modified by caries or particular abrasion. The purpose of this communication was to apply the Cameriere's method on an important sample of 16 adults Neolithic skeletons from three sites in southern Italy (Apulia): Serra Cicora, Masseria della Marina and Carpignano. The estimates derived from the study of the canines were compared with the age ranges obtained with the commonly used anthropological indicators: fusion of cranial sutures, degree of tooth wear, remodelling of the pubic symphysis and the auricular surface of the Ilium. The latter two provide intervals which encompass the ages estimated with Cameriere's method. The results show that we are facing a population with a high presence of persons of advanced age, even beyond the age of 50, hardly distinguishable by other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in pulp size due to the deposition of secondary dentin observed on radiographic images represent the best morphometric parameter to estimate age in adults. The objectives of the study were: to assess the precision and accuracy of age estimation using periapical radiographs among Brazilian adults, and to compare a formula to estimate age in this population with the original one (Cameriere et al., 2004). The sample comprised 1,772 periapical radiographs of 443 subjects (219 male, 224 female) that were organized into 12 groups according to sex and age (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+ years). The x-rays were analyzed as per Cameriere et al. (2004) using Adobe Photoshop® software and the observations were based on 20 points along the contour of the canine structure and 10 points around the pulp cavity. The obtained pixel values were inserted into the formulas for estimating age. The intra-class correlation was of 0.74 (0.6-0.8) and 0.87 (0.7-0.9), respectively, for intra and inter-observer measurements. The application of the age estimation formulas to the Brazilian population revealed a mean error of 8.56 (SD=5.80) years for tooth 13, 7.99 (SD=5.78) years for tooth 23, 8.38 (SD=6.26) years for tooth 33, and 8.20 (SD=6.54) years for tooth 43. The application of the formulas to values obtained with a combination of teeth decreased the mean error and was 7.85 (SD = 5.60) years for the canines on the right side and 7.58 (SD = 5.41) years for the left side. Our findings indicated that slightly higher levels of accuracy could be achieved by estimating the ages using the Brazilian formula compared with the original one. Multiple teeth should be used and more than one method should be applied in order to improve the accuracy of the age estimation. (Funding: CAPES). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2000 the Medieval Arcaheology teaching and the Physical Anthropology Laboratory of Venice University Ca' Foscari started a project on the medieval peopling of Italy (Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany) that allowed the excavation and analysis of several cemeteries and human samples dating back to Late Antiquity-Early Medieval Age up to Renaissance. The sample is formed by more than 1200 subjects of both sexes and all age categories, coming from various archaeological contexts (urban sites, country villages, cities, monasteries) and each showing peculiar burial practices. Together with the traditional anthropological approach to paleobiological samples, we decided to test a new age determination method (following R. Cameriere suggestions and recommendations) on several of them (Castel S. Pietro-BO, Formigine-MO, Comacchio-FE). Given the problems that can often arise with samples coming form achaeological contexts (incompleteness, fragmentation, poor preservation of the remains) we found this method extremely helpful, considering also the fact that dental remains are often better preserved than others. In addition we have to stress that in traditional paleodemography, the age classes ranging from 45-50 years onwards remain mostly undiagnosed, being grouped into one single class and therefore the mortality pattern of adults is also highly biased. The analysis through traditional skeletal indicators was compared in each case with that offered by Cameriere method for a more precise and statistically useful age determination of the subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]