Forensic Age Estimation In Children Using Coronoid Process Of Mandible From Dental Panoramic Tomography: A Geometric Morphometric Study

>Age estimation in children is crucial for forensic identification. The mandible coronoid process is the site of attachment of the temporal muscle and is one of the parts that has changed during development, making it a potential landmark for age estimation. This study aimed to determine the morphological differences between children in the coronoid process of the mandible. A total of 305 dental panoramic tomography (DPT) images were divided into two age groups: Group 1 (3–7 years) and Group 2 (8–12 years). Six landmarks of coronoid process of mandible were applied to the DPT using the TPSDig2 software. The coordinate was exported to MorphoJ for geometric morphometric analysis. The general procrustes analysis (GPA), Principal component analysis (PCA), Procrustes ANOVA, and Discriminant function analysis (DFA) was performed. The first five PCs represented 86% of total shape variation, with PC1 contributing the highest proportion (38%), followed by PC2 (20%) and PC3 (12.23%). Procrustes ANOVA demonstrated significant differences in centroid size and shape between groups (p < 0.05). DFA achieved 73% correct classification and 64% after cross validation. Wireframe visualization revealed a higher coronoid tip in Group 2 compared to Group 1, indicating mandibular growth with age. Coronoid process morphology demonstrates significant age-related changes and can serve as a useful supplementary marker for forensic age estimation in children. Geometric morphometric analysis provides a reliable and objective framework for quantifying mandibular growth.