Testing Microscopic Approaches for Cementochronology in the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection, Portugal

Author

Amando Luis Montalvo Jr., The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Carina Marques

Second Advisor

Benoit Bertrand

Third Advisor

Frank Dirrigl

Abstract

Age-at-death estimation is a key component to the creation of a biological profile in forensic anthropology. Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum annulations have been shown to correlate with chronological age. Cementochronology examines this correlation through the sum of the alternating translucent bands and opaque annuli, and the age of eruption of a tooth. While several microscopy techniques have been used, there is no consensus on the most optimal. This study will assess the reliability, precision and accuracy of three microscopy techniques: Brightfield (BF), Phase Contrast (PC) and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC). PC was the most reliable (rTEM= 10.4%), the most precise overall (SD= 6.0, CV= 14.0%), and the most accurate overall (Δage= -10.1 yrs., Δ%age= 24.0%). However, our results metrics were lower than those reported in most studies, likely due to the large proportion of older individuals in our cohorts, who typically present greater error margins in both precision and accuracy.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Amando Luis Montalvo, Jr. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3292597030

Recommended Citation

Montalvo Jr., A. L. (2025). Testing Microscopic Approaches for Cementochronology in the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection, Portugal [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1822