In a decomposed adult body where skeletal maturation is complete, a chemical method based on measuring the ratio of D- and L-forms of an amino acid accumulated in dentine is used for age estimation. The amino acid involved is:
- A Glutamic acid
- B Glycine
- C Aspartic acid ✓
- D Hydroxyproline
Correct answer: C. Aspartic acid
Explanation
Aspartic acid racemization measures the progressive conversion of L-aspartic acid to its D-isomer in metabolically inert dental tissues such as dentine. Because enamel and mature dentine do not remodel, the D/L ratio rises steadily throughout life, allowing age estimation even in elderly individuals where epiphyseal methods have failed. Glycine and hydroxyproline are structural collagen amino acids without usable racemization kinetics, and glutamic acid racemizes too slowly to serve as a practical clock.
Reference: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.