Age Estimation by Dental Means module (FM52001)

​​Dental age estimation is a key skill in forensic odontology, used to establish age in contexts ranging from criminal investigations to asylum procedures. This module takes you through the history and science of age estimation, covering invasive and non-invasive methodologies and the technical application of dental development and eruption data. 

​You will analyse past cases from the Forensic Odontology archive at the University of Dundee and use real radiographs and photographs to practise age assessment. You will also learn how to produce age estimation reports and present your findings in a legal or court setting. 

​All learning materials are available on My Dundee, and teaching typically runs at two to three sessions per week over six weeks. 

​What you will learn 

​In this module, you will: 

• ​The history of age estimation by dental means and the methodologies used in practice. 
• ​How dental development and eruption data are interpreted to produce accurate age estimates. 
• ​The legal and ethical contexts in which age estimation evidence is used, including immigration and criminal proceedings. 
• ​How to write professional age estimation reports and present dental evidence in court. 
• ​The scope and limitations of dental age estimation, including its potential for misuse. 

​By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• ​Assess the role of dental age estimation in the administration of justice and place it in the context of the wider justice system. 
• ​Evaluate and critically compare invasive and non-invasive methodologies of age estimation. 
• ​Analyse dental forensic evidence and interpret dental development and eruption data to complete age estimation reports. 
• ​Work effectively within a forensic dental team and make sound judgements. 
• ​Retrieve and critically appraise published literature and produce an accurate and balanced interpretation

Assignments / assessments

​​Written assignment (80%) 

• ​An age estimation report based on a scenario involving two asylum seekers seeking to establish they are juveniles. The report is based on radiographs and photographs provided. Word limit: 4,000 words. 

​Participation (20%) 

• ​Active engagement in class discussion and My Dundee activities throughout the module. 

​This module does not have a final exam.​

Teaching methods / timetable

• ​​Seminars and case-based discussion sessions. 
• ​Practical exercises using archived cases from the Forensic Odontology archive. 
• ​Case scenario exercises hosted on My Dundee. 
• ​Self-directed learning and preparation of course assessments. 
• ​Teaching runs at approximately two to three sessions per week over six weeks