Journal Article I

Edgar, H.J.H. Prediction of Race Using Characteristics of Dental Morphology. J Forensic Sci 2005; 50(2): 269-73. Good article discussing a technique for comparing morphological traits to determine "social race affiliation" (i.e. likely ancestry). Study used samples of modern African and European American dental casts. Edgar determined that of 136 observed traits, eight had frequencies that differed enough (between African and European Americans) to be of use. 90% of the cases were correctly identified using a series of tables indicating the presence or absence of traits and the likelihood that the trait is found in a population.

Significant Traits

• Tuberculum dentale
• Lower premolar cusp variation (mandibular anterior premolar)
• Lower premolar cusp variation (mandibular posterior premolar)
• Deflecting wrinkle
• Trigonid crest
• Mandibular molar cusp 5 (Hypoconulid) (mandibular molar 2)
• Mandibular molar cusp 5 (Hypoconulid) (mandibular molar 3)
• Mandibular molar cusp 7 (Metaconulid)

We must dare to think “unthinkable thoughts . . . . We must learn to welcome and not to fear the voices of dissent . . . . Because when things become unthinkable, thinking stops and action becomes mindlessness. -J.W. Fulbright