'Shift' Adaptation and a New Croatian Standard for Haavikko Developmental Stages' Timing

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Human Identification

Background:

• Accurate age estimation is crucial for identification, especially in forensic cases.
• The Haavikko method offers an alternative for dental age estimation when other methods fail.
• A need existed for a standardized, population-specific adaptation of the Haavikko method for Croatian children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and validate the Haavikko method for improved dental age estimation in a Croatian pediatric sample.
• To establish population-specific standards for the Haavikko developmental stages for Croatian children.
• To assess the accuracy and applicability of the adapted method.

Main Methods:

• Digital orthopantomograms of 5-16-year-old Croatian children were collected.
• A 'shift' adaptation was introduced to the Haavikko method using population data.
• Accuracy was evaluated by comparing chronological and estimated dental ages at various intervals.
• Simulations were performed to confirm population applicability.

Main Results:

• The 'shift' adaptation significantly enhanced the accuracy of age estimation for both boys and girls across all age groups.
• The adapted method demonstrated high accuracy within ±0.5 to ±2 years intervals.
• Croatian-specific tables for the Haavikko method were generated based on average tooth development ages.
• Simulations confirmed the sample's representativity and the method's applicability to the Croatian population.

Conclusions:

• The adapted Haavikko method, with its 'shift' and Croatian-specific tables, provides a more accurate and reliable tool for dental age estimation in children.
• This study establishes a new standard for applying the Haavikko method in forensic and pediatric dentistry contexts within Croatia.
• The findings support the use of this adapted method for improved age assessment in identification processes involving Croatian children.