Age estimation in dental pulp DNA based on human telomere shortening

Int J Legal Med. 2003 Aug;117(4):232-4. doi: 10.1007/s00414-003-0376-5. Epub 2003 Jun 28.

Abstract

Age estimation based on evidence found in teeth has received considerable attention within the field of forensic science. We determined the terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length, as telomere length, to estimate age. Using dental pulp DNA we found the average TRF length showed a tendency to shortening with aging. Our findings show that telomere shortening, based on dental pulp DNA is a new and useful approach to estimate age of the subject at the time of death.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / physiology
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Dental Pulp / cytology*
  • Forensic Sciences
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Telomere / genetics
  • Telomere / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA