Forensic age estimation in Barcelona: analysis of expert reports issued between 2011 and 2018

• Published in: International journal of legal medicine 2023-03, Vol.137 (2), p.395-402
• Main Authors: Taranilla Castro, Ana Maria, Pujol-Robinat, Amadeo, Badía García, Maria Angels, Milián Sebastià, Sara, Martínez Alcázar, Helena, Pomés Tallo, Jaume, Oleaga Zufiría, Laura, Xifró Collsamata, Alexandre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Age Determination by Teeth - methods; Black People; Children & youth; Chronology; Computed tomography; Evaluation; Female; Forensic Medicine; Forensic odontology; Hand; Humans; Male; Medical Law; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Minors; Molar, Third - diagnostic imaging; Original; Original Article; Osteogenesis; Physical examinations; Radiography, Panoramic; Refugees; Spain
• ISSN: 0937-9827; 1437-1596
• DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02926-7

Introduction In recent years, there has been a notable increase of migratory movements into Europe with the arrival of not (reliably) documented young individuals within EU-Member States. Accordingly, the need for forensic age assessments likewise increased in order to administratively differentiate along the legally relevant cut-off age of 18 completed years. The objective of our study was to analyse the expert reports of forensic age estimation issued in Barcelona between 2011 and 2018. Method In all cases, data on the medical history, physical examination, radiology of the left hand and orthopantomography were collected. In cases without third molars and a complete ossification of the hand, a CT scan of the clavicles was also performed. Results A total of 2754 expert reports were evaluated; 96.7% were males, the majority were of North African origin, mainly from Morocco (63.6%), and 19.6% were sub-Saharan Africans; 65.4% had a level of bone maturation corresponding to the last three standards of Greulich and Pyle. Most cases had mineralization of the third molar corresponding to the F, G or H stages of Demirjian. In 85.9%, there was a correspondence between bone and dental age. A total of 28.8% of the subjects were evaluated as being aged over 18 years; 86.2% of North Africans were considered to be younger than 18, and 82% of sub-Saharan Africans were considered to be over 18 years old. Conclusions In Barcelona, most of the subjects evaluated were male and North African, and 71.2% of the cases were considered to be minors.