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01-07-2018 | Original Article

Age estimation by assessment of pulp chamber volume: a Bayesian network for the evaluation of dental evidence

Authors: Emanuele Sironi, Franco Taroni, Claudio Baldinotti, Cosimo Nardi, Gian-Aristide Norelli, Matteo Gallidabino, Vilma Pinchi

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 4/2018

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the performance of a Bayesian method in the evaluation of dental age-related evidence collected by means of a geometrical approximation procedure of the pulp chamber volume. Measurement of this volume was based on three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography images.

Methods

The Bayesian method was applied by means of a probabilistic graphical model, namely a Bayesian network. Performance of that method was investigated in terms of accuracy and bias of the decisional outcomes. Influence of an informed elicitation of the prior belief of chronological age was also studied by means of a sensitivity analysis.

Results

Outcomes in terms of accuracy were adequate with standard requirements for forensic adult age estimation. Findings also indicated that the Bayesian method does not show a particular tendency towards under- or overestimation of the age variable. Outcomes of the sensitivity analysis showed that results on estimation are improved with a ration elicitation of the prior probabilities of age.

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We consider here the Bayesian (subjective) definition of probability, which states that the latter is a measure of the degree of a personal belief [37]. Such vision of probability offers a logical and coherent framework to handle uncertainty in forensic science, as widely discussed, for example, by Taroni et al. [38] or Biedermann [39].

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Title: Age estimation by assessment of pulp chamber volume: a Bayesian network for the evaluation of dental evidence
Authors: Emanuele Sironi
Franco Taroni
Claudio Baldinotti
Cosimo Nardi
Gian-Aristide Norelli
Matteo Gallidabino
Vilma Pinchi
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1733-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Age estimation by assessment of pulp chamber volume: a Bayesian network for the evaluation of dental evidence

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

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