Malaysian Standards for Forensic Age Estimation: Formulation and Validation based on analyses of Multi-Detector Computed Tomographic Images and Dental Orthopantomographs

Osteological parameters for age estimation show a strong bias in respect of population, however, such data are not available for Malaysian individuals due to a lack of documented skeletal repositories. This thesis explores the applicability of three forensic age estimation methods (i.e., secondary dentin formation; spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion; and pubic symphysis metamorphosis) in developing population-specific standards based on the analyses of multi-detector computed tomographic scans and dental orthopantomographs. Reliability and accuracy of those methods as transposed onto digital images are established, and Malaysian forensic age estimation standards are formulated as contributions of new knowledge.