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The extent of aspartic acid racemization in dentin: a possible method for a more accurate determination of age at death?

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Summary

In the current study the objective was to find to what extent areliable determination of age at death is made possible by establishing the degree of aspartic acid racemization in the dentin of teeth. The results of the investigation of 46 teeth are in agreement with the values found by other authors. The method presented makes a reproducible and accurate estimation of age possible. We intend to elaborate and improve this promising method for determination of age at death. The relevant points are presented here.

Zusammenfassung

Es wurde geprüft, inwieweit einezuverlässige Lebensaltersbestimmung durch Feststellung des Razemisierungsgrades von Asparaginsäure in Zahndentin möglich ist. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung von 46 Zähnen stimmen gut mit den von anderen Autoren gefundenen Werten überein. Offenbar ermöglicht das vorgestellte Verfahren eine gut reproduzierbare und genaue Lebensaltersbestimmung. Diese vielversprechende Methode zur Altersdiagnose soll jedoch noch ausgearbeitet werden; entsprechende Gesichtspunkte werden vorgestellt.

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Ritz, S., Schütz, H.W. & Schwarzer, B. The extent of aspartic acid racemization in dentin: a possible method for a more accurate determination of age at death?. Z Rechtsmed 103, 457–462 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01263154

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01263154

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