Envelopes
Packaging
Shipping

• Organize the specimens by species. Because of size and morphology differences, specimens of each species are processed separately. Package specimens of each species separately.
  
  
  • Matson's cementum aging models are species-specific. For example, white-tailed deer I1 and mule deer I1 are aged by different models because the teeth erupt at different ages in the two species.
    
    
• Teeth should be packaged dry in small paper envelopes of approximately 8 x 14 cm (coin envelopes work well). Do not use preservative liquids, plastic bags, or vials. Put envelopes in serial order by identification number. Use rubber bands to bundle the envelopes together in groups of 10 or 20 so they will remain in serial order during transit.
  
  
• Prepare an Inventory List. This list should correspond exactly to the organization of the envelopes so technicians can use it to confirm specimen identification at the start of laboratory processing. The list can be on either hard copy or diskette.
  
  
• The inventory list should also include species identification of the specimens and an indication of date of kill. Exact dates should be recorded for days between February 1 and August 31.
  
  
• The cementum age of an unidentified non-standard tooth type may be incorrect because the animal's age at the time of tooth eruption may differ from that of the standard type. Technicians may not always recognize a non-standard tooth, so each should be plainly designated on both the tooth envelope and on the master inventory list.