Studies on forensic age assessment based on dental features

该项目将显著提高基于牙齿特征的法医年龄评估的可靠性。对于与年龄相关的牙齿特征，将从可靠性和诊断质量方面确定最适合进行法医年龄评估的阶段分类。对于年龄估计实践，所检查的牙齿特征的有效统计测量作为参考数据。通过样本的均匀年龄分布和由两名经验丰富的审查员进行协商一致的阶段确定，避免了统计偏差(‘年龄模仿’)和不正确的阶段确定。种族对被检查牙齿特征的可疑影响通过与法医年龄评估相关的主要种族群体(欧洲人、亚洲人、非洲人)的年龄和性别匹配样本以及相同经验丰富的检查员自愿进行的分期确定来澄清。系统的模拟研究被用来比较不同研究小组发布的统计方法，用于预先定义的年龄限制的分类和特征的组合。从而确定最合适的预测模型，从而提高法医年龄鉴定实践中年龄诊断的可靠性。该项目具有重大的社会政治意义。预期的研究结果对于在许多其他欧洲国家进行法医年龄评估也很重要，在这些国家中，法律上相关的年龄限制位于该项目涵盖的年龄范围内。

The project will significantly improve the reliability of forensic age assessment on the basis of dental features. For the relevant age-dependent dental characteristics, the most suitable stage classifications for forensic age assessment will be determined with regard to reliability and diagnostic quality.For the age estimation practice, valid statistical measures of the examined tooth characteristics are generated as reference data. Statistical bias ('age mimicry') and incorrect stage determinations are avoided by the even age distribution of the samples and the consensual stage determination by two experienced examiners. The questionable influence of ethnicity on the examined dental characteristics is clarified by age- and gender-matched samples of the main ethnic groups relevant for forensic age assessment (Europids, Asians, Africans) as well as by consensual stage determinations of identical experienced examiners. Systematic simulation studies are used to compare the statistical methods published by various research groups for the classification of pre-defined age limits and the combination of characteristics. As a result, the most suitable predictive model will be determined, which will lead to an increase in the reliability of the age diagnosis in the practice of forensic age assessment. The project is of great socio-political importance. The expected research results are also important for forensic age assessment in numerous other European countries in which the legally relevant age limits lie within the age range covered by the project.