Journal of forensic and legal medicine最新文献

{"title":"Fatal mechanical asphyxia: a comprehensive forensic review with an illustrative case","authors":"Guodong Qin ,&nbsp;Pengfei Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102988","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102988","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fatal asphyxia is one of the most diagnostically complex categories of sudden death because its macroscopic signs are often subtle, heterogeneous and easily confounded with post-mortem artefacts. We reviewed 38 English-language publications (2000–2025) that contained autopsy-confirmed asphyxial fatalities and re-coded every case into a five-group typology—mechanical, electrical, toxic (chemical), ambient-hypoxia and pathological (endogenous). Recurrent external findings, internal soft-tissue lesions and ancillary toxicological or histochemical markers were extracted, and the literature trends were anchored to day-to-day practice by a single illustrative non-homicidal thoracocervical-compression case from our regional medicolegal institute. Within the pooled dataset, neck compression accounted for 55 % of mechanical fatalities, yet petechial haemorrhages were absent in 38 % of those victims, and potential toxicological co-factors (ethanol, opioids or sedatives) were documented in almost one-third of all cases. These discrepancies expose blind spots in death-scene reconstruction and in the routine dissection of deep cervical tissues. Accordingly, we propose a pragmatic classification framework that forces explicit consideration of scene context, mandates layer-by-layer dissection of the neck and anterior thorax, and incorporates targeted toxicology to resolve ambiguous mechanisms. By integrating narrative evidence with real-world autopsy experience, the review delineates where current diagnostic protocols succeed and where they fail, providing forensic pathologists with a clearer decision pathway when evaluating suspected asphyxial deaths.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102988"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards automation of human stage of decay identification: An artificial intelligence approach","authors":"Anna-Maria Nau ,&nbsp;Phillip Ditto ,&nbsp;Dawnie Wolfe Steadman ,&nbsp;Audris Mockus","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Determining the stage of decomposition (SOD) is one of the first steps necessary to estimate the postmortem interval, which may aid in identifying human remains. Currently, labor-intensive manual scoring methods are used for this purpose, but they are subjective and do not scale for the emerging large-scale archival collections of human decomposition photos. This study explores the feasibility of automating two human decomposition scoring methods proposed by Megyesi and Gelderman using artificial intelligence (AI). We evaluated two popular deep learning models, Inception V3 and Xception, by training them on a large dataset of human decomposition images to classify the SOD for different anatomical regions, including the head, torso, and limbs. Additionally, an interrater study was conducted to assess the reliability of the AI models compared to human forensic examiners for SOD identification. The Xception model achieved the best classification performance, with macro-averaged F1 scores of .878, .881, and .702 for the head, torso, and limbs when predicting Megyesi's SODs, and .872, .875, and .76 for the head, torso, and limbs, respectively, when predicting Gelderman's SODs. The interrater study results supported AI's ability to determine the SOD at a reliability level comparable to a human expert. This work demonstrates the potential of AI models trained on a large dataset of human decomposition images to automate SOD classification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102987"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145270492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A continuous forensic spectral analysis study to identify antemortem and postmortem muscle contusions by chemometrics","authors":"Gongji Wang ,&nbsp;Jianliang Luo ,&nbsp;Zhengyang Zhu ,&nbsp;Yuqian Li ,&nbsp;Xinggong Liang ,&nbsp;Hao Wu ,&nbsp;Xin Wei ,&nbsp;Zuan Deng ,&nbsp;Kai Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhenyuan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102986","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102986","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The differentiation between antemortem and postmortem mechanical injuries constitutes a critical challenge in forensic pathology, particularly given the scarcity of reliable diagnostic markers for severely autolyzed or decomposed cadavers. This study pioneers an integrative methodology combining advanced morphological characterization, infrared spectroscopy, and chemometric modeling to identify molecular signatures distinguishing antemortem from postmortem trauma. The spectral analysis revealed distinct biomarker patterns associated with proteins (1643 cm⁻¹ and 1560 cm⁻¹), phospholipids (1402 cm⁻¹), and carbohydrate complexes (1011 cm⁻¹). These molecular fingerprints demonstrate significant discriminative potential in trauma vitality assessment. Through systematic pattern recognition, we developed optimized partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models achieving superior classification accuracy in both cross-validation and external validation cohorts. The established protocol demonstrates three critical advantages: enhanced diagnostic reliability in advanced decomposition states, quantitative spectral interpretation through chemometric processing, and methodological standardization for prolonged postmortem intervals. This multimodal approach addresses a persistent forensic limitation, offering a scientifically robust framework for trauma vitality determination in challenging postmortem contexts. In the future, by further simplifying the complexity of the method and integrating forensic examination comprehensive analysis, this method has promising applications in forensic investigations requiring vitality assessment with differentiation of antemortem from postmortem injury, including after extended postmortem intervals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102986"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145183729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is self-immolation still a contemporary phenomenon? Forensic evidence from the case studies of Milan (Italy) and literature review","authors":"Stefano Tambuzzi ,&nbsp;Guendalina Gentile ,&nbsp;Michele Boracchi ,&nbsp;Ranjit Immanuel James ,&nbsp;Raffaella Calati ,&nbsp;Riccardo Zoja","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102985","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102985","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Self-immolation is one of the most extreme methods of suicide and is characterized by an extremely varied framework, with different profiles of forensic and psychopathological relevance in different areas of the world. It can underline social, cultural, religious, protest motivations or develop in the context of psychiatric pathologies and mental alterations. In this context, cases of suicide by self-immolation that occurred between 2017 and 2024 in Milan (Italy) were analyzed and compared with an earlier study from 1993 to 2016 in the same geographical area. Almost a decade has passed since then, society has experienced periods of major crisis, including the Covid 19 pandemic, and migration flows have increased. Suicide by self-immolation appears to be a slightly increasing phenomenon (+18 % compared to the past), confirming a greater involvement of men in particular, but with a prevalence in an older decade (70–79 years compared to 50–59 years). Furthermore, the number of foreigners has quadrupled (31 % compared to 3 %). In 77 % of the cases, they were subjects suffering from psychiatric pathologies and the main reasons given were attributed to mental health problems, family disputes, sentimental, economic problems and existential distress. There was no motivation attributable to religious, cultural or political reasons. In our view, suicidal burns should be considered a mental health issue in the vast majority of cases. The pathological-forensic starting point has thus made it possible to identify further elements that contribute to the enrichment of knowledge about this phenomenon, which is still relevant in the current society.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102985"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145270496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploration of “out of hours” calls to the Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service in Galway over a one-year period to quantify need for continued extended hours service","authors":"Erica Lahoud ,&nbsp;Joanne Nelson ,&nbsp;Cathy Bergin","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102978","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102978","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The Galway Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service (CASATS) operates within a Barnahus model on site on weekdays from 08.00 to 16.00 h with 24/7/365 out of hours on call availability. The service is localised to West and Mid-West Ireland for “in hours” examinations but covers the whole of Southern Ireland for “out of hours” examinations. Whilst CASATS supports children under 18 years of age, “out of hours” forensic medical examinations (FME) are predominantly children under 14 years of age as the adult sexual assault treatment units (SATU) in Ireland offer acute FME to patients from 14 years up. The overlapping 14–18 age group between adult SATU and CASATS makes commissioning challenging. Service specifications in Ireland recommend working towards provision of a 12/7 (08.00–20.00 h) service for paediatric FME, but do not detail recommendations for “out of hours” care for children under 14 years after 20.00 h. This review sought to quantify the number of “out of hours” telephone queries from professionals exploring the need for a paediatric FME for suspected sexual harm and the number of children subsequently examined “out of hours” by Galway CASATS in 2024 to determine the need for a continued extended hours service. “Out of hours” included Saturdays, Sundays, bank or public holidays and between 16.00 and 08.00 on weekdays.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Data were collected anonymously through retrospective review of medical notes and from records of telephone queries received from January 01, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Inclusion criteria were &lt;em&gt;(a)&lt;/em&gt; All telephone queries to Galway CASATS (“in” and “out of hours”) relating to the need for FME in children (&lt;18 years) where sexual harm had been disclosed, witnessed or strongly suspected &lt;em&gt;(b)&lt;/em&gt; All “in” and “out of hours” FMEs undertaken in Galway CASATS for children (&lt;18 years) including those where agreement had been reached that FME would be beneficial, following discussion (“in hours”) at Barnahus West Interagency planning meetings. Exclusion criteria were &lt;em&gt;(i)&lt;/em&gt; Children for whom FME was not indicated, following “in hours” interagency Barnahus discussion &lt;em&gt;(ii)&lt;/em&gt; The 41 Children 14–18 years in 2024 supported through the adult sexual assault treatment units, all eligible for Barnahus support.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The number of telephone queries and requests for FME arising from Barnahus West in 2024 related to 126 children. Thirty-eight telephone queries concerning 42 children were received outside of Galway CASATS’ normal workday of 08.00–16.00 h. Seventeen calls concerning 20 children were received outside the 08.00–20.00 h 12/7 paediatric FME service specifications for Ireland. Of the 93 children who attended for FME in Galway CASATS in 2024, 19 (19/93 = 20 %) required urgent “out of hours” examination (outside of 08:00–16:00 Monday to Friday workweek) of whom 5 (5/93 = 5 %) required examination ou","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102978"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public prosecutors' perspectives on forensic medical information in non-fatal injury cases in the Netherlands: practices, barriers and recommendations","authors":"Maartje L. Goudswaard ,&nbsp;Joyce N. Cuijpers ,&nbsp;Manon Ceelen ,&nbsp;Solange M. Hoogerheide ,&nbsp;Udo J.L. Reijnders ,&nbsp;H. Ibrahim Korkmaz ,&nbsp;Dionne S. Kringos","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Public prosecutors in the Netherlands play a crucial role in ensuring that criminal cases are supported by evidence. This study surveyed public prosecutors to examine current practices, barriers, and recommendations related to the use and availability of forensic medical reports in cases involving non-fatal injuries, including the use of injury dating.</div><div>Twelve prosecutors with specific injury-related expertise from 8 out of the 10 police regions completed the online survey. Medical information was viewed as contributing to criminal law proceedings. Forensic medical information was considered particularly important in serious cases such as severe abuse, attempted manslaughter, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Information from treating physicians specifically in cases involving permanent injuries or repeated incidents, especially in the context of domestic violence. However, use of the latter was often limited by concerns about quality, completeness, and accessibility.</div><div>Key barriers included time constraints, a shortage of forensic doctors, unclear procedures within the police, privacy concerns among treating physicians, and limited awareness among prosecutors. To address these issues, prosecutors emphasized the need for improved training, the appointment of specialized personnel, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of clear procedural guidelines.</div><div>In conclusion, this study offers concrete recommendations to enhance the integration of forensic medical expertise into criminal proceedings, contributing to a more effective, efficient, and equitable judicial process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102976"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145260223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Atypical gunshot injuries: A review of case reports and case series","authors":"Alok Atreya ,&nbsp;Bijeta Pokharel ,&nbsp;Dipika Khadka ,&nbsp;Prerana Basnet ,&nbsp;Sharmila Gurung ,&nbsp;Neelu Hirachan ,&nbsp;Ritesh G. Menezes","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Gunshot injuries are important public health concerns that contribute significantly to disability and mortality, but atypical cases remain underexplored. This review synthesizes the published literature to identify factors that experts/authors use to classify gunshot injuries as atypical, intending to deepen insights and improve forensic interpretations and clinical outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following a scoping review framework, we searched PubMed using keywords related to the terms “atypical,” “gunshot,” and “case report.” We included peer-reviewed case reports and case series in English with no date restrictions. We excluded reviews, typical injury studies, animal studies, and non-English publications. Data were extracted into an Excel spreadsheet to identify patterns in injury characteristics and forensic/clinical implications.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>From the 390 records identified, 237 records spanning 1977–2024 were analyzed after screening. Cases were predominantly concentrated in North America and Europe. The classifications of atypical entities fall into four main categories or themes: unusual anatomical locations, aberrant wound patterns, unconventional weapons or ammunition, and unanticipated clinical presentations or complications and unique treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings challenge standard ballistic and clinical assumptions and emphasize the need for enhanced forensic tools and individualized treatment approaches in the management of such patients. This scoping review addresses a critical gap by providing forensic experts with better interpretation frameworks and clinicians with refined care strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"116 ","pages":"Article 102981"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infant life-threatening accidental head injury from 45 cm fall causing traumatic dissecting aneurysm and delayed rebleeding","authors":"Catherine Skellern ,&nbsp;Michael Stuart","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102983","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102983","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Whilst short falls within the home are a common cause for infants under 12 months to present to hospital emergency departments, serious injuries or fatalities are exceptionally rare. Forensic evaluation of injuries is essential and considers a range of factors ascertained from investigation of the circumstances alongside findings from medical evaluations to consider injury plausibility. We report a case of a rare mechanism involving occipital-cervical distraction causing cerebrovascular dissection of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery and delayed rebleeding following a verified short distance fall of 45 cm from a sofa to highlight factors that assist in timely recognition of this injury which can be life-threatening or even fatal if overlooked.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102983"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An autopsy case of eosinophilic coronary periarteritis with coronary arterial degeneration and repaired dissection","authors":"Hidenori Yoshizawa ,&nbsp;Yoshihiko Ikeda ,&nbsp;Eiich Morii ,&nbsp;Kinta Hatakeyama","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102977","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102977","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eosinophilic coronary periarteritis (ECPA) is a rare disease, almost exclusively diagnosed postmortem, characterized by a clinical course of vasospastic angina (VSA) attacks and histologically observed periarterial eosinophilic infiltration in the coronary arteries. Although the etiology of ECPA remains uncertain, its pathogenesis may be attributed to an allergic reaction. In addition, ECPA is often associated with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD); however, the pathogenesis underlying the link between inflammation and dissection remains unclear.</div><div>In the current case, a 45-year-old female experienced VSA attacks and succumbed to a fatal exacerbation of VSA approximately six years after the first onset of symptoms. Pathological examination at autopsy revealed periarterial eosinophilic infiltration in the coronary artery, suggesting ECPA. Characteristically, the pathological findings further showed localized SCAD with a repair response and deposition of a degenerative matrix in the tunica media. These findings may provide insights into the pathogenesis of ECPA.</div><div>This case highlights the importance of autopsy examinations for discussing and elucidating the pathophysiology of ECPA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102977"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the accuracy of two different methods in dental age estimation","authors":"Merve Kucuk Kurtgoz,&nbsp;Zarif Ece Hammudioglu,&nbsp;Elif Cecen Erol,&nbsp;Ceren Aktuna Belgin","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Age estimation plays a crucial role in forensic medicine, particularly in countries facing significant refugee-related challenges. There are many parameters used for age estimation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the visibility of the pulp and periodontal ligament space in the mandibular third molar using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to compare the effectiveness of these two methods in chronological age estimation, specifically in assessing the 18–21 age thresholds.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>CBCT images of 359 patients (189 females, 170 males), aged between 16 and 29 were analyzed by three independent observers. Patients with a history of trauma and/or surgery in the maxillofacial region, developmental anomalies or pathologies in the mandible, or systemic diseases affecting growth and development were excluded. Additionally, third molars with incomplete root development, developmental or acquired dental anomalies, pulp calcification etc. were excluded from the study. After recording the patients' age and sex, the mandibular third molars were classified according to the Olze (visibility of the root pulp) and Guo classification (visibility of the periodontal ligament) into grades 0, 1, 2, and 3. Each observer re-evaluated the CBCT images of 140 randomly selected patients two weeks later to assess intra-observer reliability.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The simple correlations between Olze and Guo grades were examined regardless of sex, the relationship between both methods and age was found to be significant and positive (Olze vs age r = 0.493 and p &lt; 0.001, Guo vs age r = 0.445 and p &lt; 0.001). Additionally, for both the Olze and Guo methods, it was observed that as the grade increased, mean age also increased at a statistically significant level (p &lt; 0.001). Olze and Guo's grades changed statistically significantly in the 18 and 21 age thresholds in total (p &lt; 0.001). When both methods were evaluated on a grade basis, it was seen that both Olze and Guo grade 0 increased statistically significantly in the under-18 age group, while Olze Grade 1 and Grade 2, and Guo Grade 2 increased statistically significantly in the 18 and over age group (p &lt; 0.001). Olze method's cutoff value was found to be &gt; 0, and Guo method's cutoff value was found to be &gt; 1 in distinguishing between those under 18 and over. Both Olze and Guo's methods were found to be more successful in predicting the 18-year-old threshold.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although they offer a high probability of being accurate, both Olze and Guo classifications do not provide 100 % accuracy in determining the 18 and 21 age thresholds in forensic dental age estimation. However, for both the Olze and Guo methods, the mean age increased as the grade increased. Both the Olze and Guo methods were found to be successful in estimating the 18 and 21 age thresholds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102980"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}