The occurrence and implications of post-mortem 'pink teeth' in forensic and archaeological cases

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4686758
AutoresT J Dye (University of Bradford), D Lucy (University of Bradford), A M Pollard (0000-0003-3757-4668, University of Bradford)
Ano1995
Volume5
Fascículo4
Páginas339-348
Data de publicação1995-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.1390050404
OpenAlexW2014588646
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas20

On sectioning six of eight externally well-preserved teeth taken from four skeletons from Medieval Chichester they displayed a superficial similarity to teeth described in the forensic literature as 'pink teeth'. This article reviews the occurrence of 'pink teeth' in forensic specimens and describes the teeth from Chichester using a variety of analytical techniques. We conclude that, despite the similarities, the pink coloration in the archaeological specimens has a different cause from the forensic samples, and that in archaeological contexts the pinkness is probably related to post-mortem change brought about by saprophytic fungi. However, the exact cause of the coloration remains unexplained. We discuss briefly the implications of this observation for dental ageing techniques and other studies of archaeological teeth

Archaeology · Art · Biology · Forensic science · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Dentistry · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases