Measurements should be taken even if the teeth are worn, as this condition will be noted in the attrition data section and these data are needed for other analyses such as hypoplasias and dental attrition. Scaled photographs or digital images of the occlusal surfaces of both dental arcades should be taken as they can be used for digital analysis of tooth size, occlusal areas, and dental attrition. Scoring dental attrition or occlusal surface wear poses problems as there are a number of systems available. This system works well when dental attrition is moderate to extreme but discriminates poorly when attrition is slight. Consequently the Scott system will be used for molars and the Smith system for all other teeth.
Dental caries are the most common and often the most informative of dental lesions.
The literature clearly indicates the usefulness of caries analysis, but it cannot provide its full potential unless the caries are recorded by tooth type and surface. Caries must be recorded for each of the 32 permanent teeth by tooth surface and their morphological variants. Considering the disarticulated and scattered nature of these remains and the dynamic context from which they were recovered, it is essential to establish with as much certainty as possible whether a single individual is represented by the remains. Comparison of the similarity of the skeletal elements recovered, their comparative sizes, their condition, and other relevant characteristics will be used to determine this. There are numerous criteria for age determination and, as with sexing, a composite age is arrived at by the investigator.