Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

OSAC Research Needs Assessment Form

Title of research need:

Keywords:

Submitting subcommittee(s): Date Approved:

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background information:

1. Description of research need:

2. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need:

3a. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Questions: Are commonly-used dental age assessment methods, based on reference populations from the mid-20th

century, applicable to contemporary populations? What information can the methods provide, and what are the 

limitations of the methods currently in use? Do we need new studies? What are the error rates of these methods?

*AlQahtani SJ, (2008). Atlas of tooth development and eruption. Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. London, Queen Mary 

University of London. MClinDent.

*Cameriere R, Ferrante L, Cingolani M, Precision and reliability of pulp/tooth are ratio (RA) of second molar as indicator of adult age. [Erratum 

appears in J Forensic Sci. 2005 Mar; 50(2):486. Jour Forensic Sci. 49(6):1319-23, 2004 Nov.

*Demirjian A, Goldstein H, Tanner JM (1973): A new system of dental age assessment” Human Biology, 45 211-227

*Mincer HH, Harris EF, Berryman HE. The A.B.F.O. study of third molar development and its use as an estimator of chronological age. J Forensic Sci 

1993; 38(2): 379-90.

*Moorrees CFA, Fanning EA, Hunt EE Jr, “Age Variation of Formation Stages for Ten Permanent Teeth” Jour Dent Res V42 #6 1963, 1490-1502

*Moorrees CFA, Fanning EA, Hunt EE Jr, “Formation and Resorption of Three Deciduous Teeth in Children” Am Jour Physical Anthropology V21 #2 

June 1963, 205-213 

*Phillips VM, van Wyk Kotze TJ, Testing Standard Methods of Dental Age Estimation by Moorrees, Fanning and Hunt and Demirjian, Goldstein and 

Tanner on Three South African Children Samples, J Forensic Odontostomatol 2009; 27:2:20-28.

*Smith BH, “Standards of Human Tooth Formation and Dental Age Assessment” in Advances in Dental Anthropology, pp. 143-168, 1991 Wiley-Liss, 

To guide the odontologist in selecting the most appropriate dental age assessment methods for the 

subject in question.

Critical Comparison of Dental Age Assessment Methods

Dental age, chronologies, maturity scale, atlas, stages, development, post-developmental changes, subadult, adolescent, adult

Odontology 8/23/2016
Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

3b. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

3c. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

4. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): 

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.

Major gap 

in current 

knowledge

Minor gap 

in current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research 

is being 

conducted

I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted

II IV

To provide guidelines and standards for the selection and application of dental age assessment 

methods specific to each case, as well as the scope and limitations of conclusions drawn and 

opinions rendered. 

To educate the relevant legal/governmental agencies to the appropriate applications and 

limitations of the dental age assessment process and the resulting age estimates. To facilitate 

understanding by authorities on the strength or limitations of estimated chronological age as a 

criterion for decision-making.

 II
Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

// Approval date:

(Approval is by majority vote of subcommittee. Once approved, forward to SAC.)

1. Does the SAC agree with the research need? Yes ⃝ No ⃝ 

2. Does the SAC agree with the status assessment? Yes ⃝ No ⃝

If no, what is the status assessment of the SAC:

Approval date:

(Approval is by majority vote of SAC. Once approved, forward to NIST for posting.)

Subcommittee

SAC