The Nicodemo, Moraes & Médici Filho method in the routine of age estimation at the São Paulo medical-legal institute

Abstract

Age estimation using teeth constitutes one of the pillars of forensic dentistry in Brazil. This retrospective and descriptive study aimed to review the caseload of the Legal Dentistry Unit (NOL) of the São Paulo’s Institute of Forensic Medicine (IML-SP) in search of age estimation reports that reflect the institutional forensic practice of the past decade. The sample consisted of 65 forensic age estimation reports conducted between 2014 and 2024. The collected data included the year of examination, origin of the bodies, biological sex, preservation, imaging techniques employed, teeth analyzed, and correlation between estimated and chronological ages. The reports covered examinations conducted on 40 male individuals and 20 female individuals, with cases involving skeletal remains (n = 31) and charred bodies (n = 27) being predominant. Imaging techniques were used in 54 of the 65 examinations, highlighting the use of periapical radiographs and computed tomography. The third molar was the most examined tooth for age estimation (n = 45). In 91.6% of cases, the chronological age was included within the estimated age range. Although the NMM method shows a high rate of inclusion of chronological age, this result stems from the wide variability in the development of third molars, which is the most examined tooth in the NOL of IML-SP. This study emphasizes caution in applying the NMM method, especially for forensic purposes. The modernization of the forensic service, with the implementation of diverse methodologies for age estimation, is necessary.