Tooth-based age estimation of an adipocerated cadaver using the amino acid racemization method

We attempted to estimate the age of a completely adipocerated unidentified body using the aspartic acid racemization reaction (racemization method). The material used to make the estimate consisted of two teeth, the right and left lower first premolars, and for comparison five lower first premolars from persons of known age were used. From testing of the specimen teeth, it was estimated that age at the time of death was 39 +/- 3 years. Later, the body was identified as that of a woman who had been murdered 6 years before at the age of 41 years, and it was possible to estimate almost precisely her age at the time of death. It was clarified that the dentin racemization reaction hardly proceeds even when the body adipocerates, under conditions in which normal tooth color and hardness are maintained.