Appraisal on potential scope of aspartic acid racemization in human dental remains for precise age estimation: A review

Abstract

The forensic methods of personal identification have a governing role in the
individualization of casualties of mass disaster and criminal acts. Forensic odontology is among
such reliable methods for personal identification accompanied by DNA profiling and fingerprints.
The morphological and radiological analyses of dental exhibits are less precise and often need
rigour expertise. The human dentition composition has been found to contain minute sum of
aspartic acid and other amino acids. Consistent reported results had shown the adroitness of
aspartic acid racemization (AAR) in precise age estimation of the cadavers. Therefore, aspartic
acid racemization can provide a reliable and economic method of age and personal
identification of human remains. A probe has been demonstrated for the likely future of AAR in
age estimation of cadavers from human dental remains.