Age Estimation by Racemization Method in Teeth: Application of Aspartic Acid, Glutamate, and Alanine

• NCJ Number: 231219
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 701-705
• Author(s): Szilvia Arany, Ph.D., D.D.S.; Susumu Ohtani, Ph.D.
• Date Published: May 2010
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reports on an experimental approach of simultaneous determination of various amino acids racemization (AAR) rates in teeth.

Abstract

We evaluated the measurements of aspartic acid (Asp), glutamate (Glu), and alanine (Ala) isolated from dentin. Asx D/L rates from total amino acid fraction, generally used for age estimation, showed high correlation (r = 0.98) with age. As Glx and Ala showed very slow racemization kinetics in TA, the study performed further analysis of the acid-soluble protein (SP) fraction. The results supported improved correlation between age and D/L rates for Glu (r = 0.84) and Ala (r = 0.85), as well as for Asp (r = 0.98). By providing further elucidation on dentin protein racemization, the technique offers a considerable opportunity to involve other amino acids in age estimation studies. As the process does not require additional separation steps, the method can be easily adapted to existing protocols. 2 figures, 1 table and 32 references (Published Abstract)