The problem of aging human remains and living individuals: a review

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.09.008 Byline: E. Cunha (a), E. Baccino (b), L. Martrille (b), F. Ramsthaler (c), J. Prieto (d), Y. Schuliar (e), N. Lynnerup (f), C. Cattaneo (g) Keywords: Aging; Forensic anthropology; Forensic odontology; Human remains; Living; FASE (Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe) Abstract: Forensic anthropology is affected by the unavoidable limits concerning difficulties in standardization of methods and procedures; age estimation is one of the main tasks of forensic anthropology and odontology, both on the dead and the living: literature has shown several methods of age estimation, and although they may be thought of as equivalent, every procedure has its limits, mean error, practical situation and age range where it gives the best results; the lack of standardization and consensus concerning which method can be used, as well as the lack of a practical approach in different cases is the main limit in a correct age estimation process. This review aims at exposing the experience of the authors working in the FASE (Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe) subsection of IALM (International Academy of Legal Medicine) in the field of age estimation both on the dead and the living, at highlighting advantages and limits of each method, and suggesting practical solutions concerning the age estimation process for adults and subadults, dead and living, and pedopornographic material. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Anthropology, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, University of Coimbra, Largo da Se-Nova, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal (b) Service de Medecine Legale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Hopital Lapeyronie, Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, Cedex 5, France (c) Department of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt/Main, Kennedyallee 104, 60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany (d) Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology and Odontology, Instituto AnatA[sup.2]mico Forense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, Avenida Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain (e) Service de sante des armees, Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale, 1, Bd Theophile Sueur, 93111 Rosny-sous-bois, France (f) Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik d. 5s Vej 11, DK-2100 A Copenhagen, Denmark (g) LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense, Dipartimento di Morfologia Umana e Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Medicina Legale, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy Article History: Received 5 January 2009; Revised 8 September 2009; Accepted 14 September 2009