Age Estimation with Cemental Annulation Using Light, Phase Contrast and Polarized Microscopy

INTRODUCTION: In forensic science, the determination of age plays a vital role in the identification of bodies and persons associated with crimes. Teeth are frequently better conserved than any other human remains, so their use for identifying age at death is vital. The root portion of the teeth is covered by a thin calcified layer called cementum, the annulations of which is considered to be helpful in age estimation. The objective of the study was to ascertain and compare the accuracy and efficiency of age estimation between light, polarized, and phase-contrast microscopy in the ground and decalcified sections of the tooth stained with hematoxylin and eosin by light microscopy and picrosirius red (PSR) by polarized microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty extracted teeth were collected and stored in a solution of 10% formalin. The middle one-third portion of the root was used, later sectioned into two halves using carborundum disc. One-half of it was used to prepare ground sections, which was studied with light, polarized, and phase-contrast microscopy. The other half was decalcified with 10% formic acid, processed, and two sections of 5 -μm thickness were prepared. One was stained with PSR stain and the second section was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain, One was stained with PSR stain and the second section was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain. Statistical analysis was performed using Z-test and Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between actual and calculated age in the ground sections, while there was a statistically significant difference observed between actual and calculated age in decalcified sections stained with H and E and PSR. A strong positive correlation was observed between actual and calculated age by Karl Pearson correlation coefficient test. CONCLUSION: Cemental annulation and phase contrast microscopy can be reliably utilized in forensic science to establishing age, especially among young and middle age group individuals.