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Estimation of chronologic age using the aspartic acid racemization method. I. On human rib cartilage

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Abstract

Determinations of chronologic age are of great importance in forensic science. At present the aspartic acid racemization method on teeth provides one of the best means in adult individuals. However, if teeth are not available, some other stable tissue has to be used. In this study, the applicability of cartilage from the ribs has been tested. Specimens of rib cartilage were obtained at autopsy from 24 individuals aged 0.2–96 years. An acid-soluble peptide (SP) fraction and an insoluble collagen-rich (IC) fraction were prepared, and the ratio of D/L aspartic acid was determined using the HPLC technique. The correlation coefficient between the D/L ratio and age was r = 0.91 in SP and r = 0.97 in IC. It thus seems as if cartilage from non-weight-bearing areas may be a useful source of tissue for the estimation of chronologic age with the aspartic acid racemization method when teeth are not available.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Forensic Medicine, Klinik der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Bachstrasse 18, D-07740, Jena, Germany

    H. Pfeiffer

  2. Departments of Forensic Odontology and Forensic Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, POB 4064, Stockholm, S-14104, Huddinge, Sweden

    H. Mörnstad

  3. Department of Forensic Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, POB 4064, S-14104 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden

    A. Teivens

Authors
  1. H. Pfeiffer
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  2. H. Mörnstad
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  3. A. Teivens
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Additional information

This study was supported by grant # B93-241-10277-01 from the Swedish Medical Research Council and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst grant # 517 023 502 3

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Pfeiffer, H., Mörnstad, H. & Teivens, A. Estimation of chronologic age using the aspartic acid racemization method. I. On human rib cartilage. Int J Leg Med 108, 19–23 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01845611

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01845611

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