One of the methods forensic investigators use for estimating the age at death of a human, or the age of a living individual (for example for legal reasons or to verify identity) is based on measurement of the biochemical changes in amino acids within the teeth or bones. As bones and teeth age the ratio (R/L) of two amino acids, denoted simply as R and L, increases. The biochemical changes that occur over time in these amino acids follow an exponential law. The age t, in years, can be estimated from (R/L) using the equation t = b0 + b1*LN((1+R/L)/(1-R/L))^(), where LN denotes the natural logarithm (logarithm base e). This Excel file has data on the ratio (R/L) from the teeth of human subjects of known age. 1. Use the data to find the least squares intercept b0 and slope b1 in the equation t = b0 + b1*LN((1+R/L)/(1-R/L))^(). intercept b0 slope b1
2. While tending to his flower garden, Sherlock Holmes discovers a body buried in his backyard. Forensic analysis yields the value 0.045 for the ratio (R/L). Use the least squares equation to estimate the age of Sherlock Holmes' surprise garden visitor. years
3. Calculate a 95% prediction interval for the age at death of Sherlock Holmes' surprise garden visitor. lower bound upper bound
4. Several years ago a man in Sherlock Holmes's neighborhood mysteriously disappeared. At the time of the disappearance the man was 35 years old. Do you think that this is the body of that man? No Yes