Summary: | Accuracy checks of tooth wear assessments and size measurements were undertaken for mandibles submitted by moose hunters in Newfoundland. Tooth wear class, a subjective assessment often used in age interpretation, was inconsistent in repeat measurements by the same technician in 23% of cases, and, in comparison between 2 technicians, in 53% of cases. There was confusion particularly between Classes II and III, and consistent bias in the interpretation of higher classes. Size measurement was much more consistent, with 1-2% relative error in repeat measurements of a sample size of n ≥ 77. Smaller sample sizes may result in larger relative measurement error because individual repeat measurements differed by as much as 17 mm.
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