The Histological Analysis of Tooth Cementum Annulations to Determine Age and Season of Death of Active Duty Military Personnel: Comparative Study Using Brightfield, Polarizing and Phase Contrast Microscopy
Abstract
Quantitative tooth cementum annulation (TCA) analysis has been proposed as an accurate ageatdeath marker in humans, and qualitative evaluation of the terminal band may reflect seasonality. Consolidation of preparation parameters is leading towards validation of quantitative TCA analysis, however, questions remain regarding the optical parameters that may optimize visualization. Teeth extracted from a U.S. military population as part of an oral health care plan were prepared into 100m transverse sections and visualized using three transmission microscopy methods; brightfield, polarizing, and phase contrast. Due to suspected modifiable sample preparation methods 20.7% of samples were devoid of sufficient annulations for accurate quantification. Two observers achieved correlations between TCA age and true age of r=0.894 to r=0.906 (n=46) and estimates were within 4 years of true age for 80.9% of samples when high quality digital microscopes were used for photomicrograph collection. Disparity between the quality of the phase contrast microscope and other modalities precluded accurate comparison amongst all three groups. Season of extraction estimates by a single observer ranged from 58.7 to 73.9% with no significant difference between microscopy modality. Adherence to the protocol and procedural recommendations of this study could provide valuable forensic or anthropological evidence to facilitate identification through age estimation using TCA analysis. This study was unable to bolster support for season determination as an accurate TCA methodology, however, future validation may be possible using sample preparation parameters that differ from those employed for quantitative assessment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 11, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1182859
Entities
People
- Julia H. Corby
- Steffan C. Thomas
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences