Legal age estimation using Cameriere's third molar method

Background/Aim: Biological (dental) age represents the level of development of organic systems. The estimation of dental age plays a big role in dentistry, the law, forensics, and criminology. Cameriere's method is a simple and noninvasive way to determine the dental age, measuring the width of the open apex in left mandibular third molars. The modified Cameriere method is utilized for assessing the legal age of individuals and is based on the analysis of tooth 38 (left mandibular third molar). As the hardest tissue in the human body, teeth remain structurally unchanged long after a person's death. In addition to their durability, the morphology of teeth is unique to each individual, proving direct evidence of identity. Examination of accuracy, reliability and applicability of Cameriere's third molar index method for legal age assessment in cases in which the chronological age is unknown. Material and methods: Two hundred and fourteen orthopanthomograms, acquired from the Dentistry Clinic of Vojvodina's radiographic database, were used in this study. The radiograms were analyzed using the Kodak program. The age range considered was between 15 and 25 years, regardless of gender and ethnic background. The calculations were done using Cameriere's formula and third molar index (I3M). The optimal threshold value that separates minors from adults is I3M < 0.08. Results: The accuracy for the male examinees had a value of 81.33% and for the females, a value of 79.98%. Conclusions: Cameriere's third molar index method in legal age assessment has been proven partially accurate in our population and has justified its use in forensic purposes.