Forensic age assessment of late-term bovine fetuses.

Defining the G90 threshold for a cow not having reached parturition is challenging. Body weight was not found to be a reliable parameter for identifying fetuses beyond the G90 threshold. Statistical analysis of the association between fetal age and eruption through the gingival mucosa of incisor and canine teeth revealed significant variation, making tooth eruption a challenging parameter to use in forensic cases. Assessment of the evaluated parameters, therefore, cannot be considered a scientifically validated method to conclude definitively and beyond reasonable doubt whether or not a given fetus has passed the G90 threshold.