Forensic Medicine · Identification & Forensic Anthropology

Age Estimation & Gustafson's Method

1 min read · Verified by professors

Age determination from bones

  • In children: eruption of teeth; epiphyseal union.
  • In adults: cranial suture closure; pubic symphysis changes; dental wear.

Gustafson's Method

Definition: Gustafson's method is a method of age estimation based on age-related changes in teeth.

Principle: with advancing age, characteristic changes occur in teeth which can be assessed microscopically and scored.

Gustafson's six criteria

  1. Attrition (A) — wearing away of the occlusal surface.
  2. Periodontosis (P) — recession of gums and periodontal tissues.
  3. Secondary dentine (S) — deposition of secondary dentine within the pulp cavity.
  4. Cementum apposition (C) — progressive deposition of cementum at the root.
  5. Root resorption (R) — resorption at the root apex.
  6. Transparency of root (T) — increase in root transparency with age.