1. Root broken off. The amount of cementum loss may be great enough to render the tooth useless for aging. Some carnivore species have a cementum layer thick enough at the gumline to permit aging even when the root is broken, but most ungulate species do not.
   
   
2. Non-standard tooth type. Matson's technicians cannot always identify a non-standard tooth that may erupt at a later age than the standard one. Aging error of 1-3 years is likely if a non-standard tooth is sent for processing but not identified.
   
   
3. Unidentified species. Matson's uses a species-specific aging model, and may incorrectly age teeth of unidentified species. We will always attempt to obtain the information, but there may be cases where we are not aware it is missing (for example, mule and white-tailed deer incisors randomly mixed in a sample will not appear grossly to be different.)
   
   
4. Data recording errors. Very frequently, Matson's technicians will find that the same number has inadvertently been assigned to two specimens, or that other data accompanying the tooth (date of kill, gender, etc.) has been incorrectly recorded on an inventory list. A sample often includes specimens that are not accounted for in the accompanying inventory list. Illegible writing is another data error souce. Recording errors can be avoided only by careful double-checking as the sample is being organized for shipping to the laboratory.
   
   
5. Jumbled sample. Specimens that have not been carefully packaged become jumbled during transit. They must be in the most logical serial order so that technicians can use a master inventory list to confirm identification at the beginning of the process. The additional cost of re-organizing and collating the sample can be avoided by careful initial organization and packaging.
   

Soft Tissues