Significance of teeth lead accumulation in age estimation

Abstract 

Lead accumulation in 398 permanent teeth of Kuwaiti subjects, aged between 11 and 74 years (mean age=25±8 years) was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A significant correlation was found between dentin lead levels and age. The mean dentin lead concentration was significantly higher in males than in females (6.8±4.7 and 5.6±4.6, respectively, p=0.015). A formula was established to calculate age from lead levels in teeth (Age=1.2×dentin Pb+17.6). The proposed formula was applied to a validation group of 90 Kuwaiti subjects (45 males and 45 females, aged between 13 and 58 years). The standard error of age estimation, applying the proposed formula, was ±5.8 years with R square=52.3%. The mean difference between the true and calculated ages was 1.3±4.8 years. The coefficient of variation was 43%. The proposed formula is merely applicable to Kuwaiti population, and can be of a significant value in forensic practice whenever examining human skeletal remains, particularly of Kuwaiti war victims. Other formulas may well be established via similar studies on dentin lead levels on various populations.

Keywords: Lead accumulation, Teeth, Dentin, Age estimation