Age assessment in unaccompanied minors: assessing uniformity of protocols across Europe

Cummaudo, Marco; Obertova, Zuzana; Lynnerup, Niels; Petaros, Anja; de Boer, Hans; Baccino, Eric; Steyn, Maryna; Cunha, Eugenia; Ross, Ann; Adalian, Pascal; Kranioti, Elena; Fracasso, Tony; Ferreira, Maria Teresa; Lefèvre, Philippe; Tambuzzi, Stefano; Peckitt, Robin; Campobasso, Carlo Pietro; Ekizoglu, Oguzhan; De Angelis, Danilo; Cattaneo, Cristina

doi:10.1007/s00414-024-03157-8

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 43 publications

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“…The use of radiology in the age estimation process is controversial. According to a survey recently made by the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE), most participants found the use of ionizing radiation for age estimation ethically acceptable and they generally ask for X-rays before proceeding with the age assessment [34]. In a letter to the editor, some authors say that medical radiological methods (which are far less invasive than usually proclaimed) have error ranges but these are better known and quantifiable than those of psychosocial assessments [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Estimation Based on Computed Tomography Analysis of the Scapula

Karaman,

Can,

Cekdemir

et al. 2024

Medicina

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Background and Objectives: Age estimation from skeletal remains and in living individuals is an important issue for human identification, and also plays a critical role in judicial proceedings for migrants. Forensic analysis of ossification centers is the main evaluation method for age estimation, and ossification degree can be determined using computed tomography analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of CT (computed tomography) in the analysis of left scapula ossification centers, for forensic age estimation in Turkish society. Materials and Methods: We analyzed six ossification centers of the left scapula and these ossification centers are the coracoid, subcoracoid, coracoid apex, acromial, glenoid, and inferior angle ossification centers. A pediatric radiologist analyzed these six ossification centers of the scapula by using a staging method defined by Schmeling et al. in 2004. Two months after the first assessment, 20 randomly selected cases was reanalyzed by the first observer and by another pediatric radiologist. Correlation between the age and ossification stage was assessed using Spearman’s nonparametric correlation test. Linear regression analysis was performed using a backwards model. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used for evaluating interobserver and intraobserver variability. Results: In this retrospective study, 397 (248 male and 149 female) cases were evaluated. Ages ranged between 7.1 and 30.9. The mean age was 19.83 ± 6.49. We determined a positive significant correlation between the age and the ossification stages of ossification centers analyzed in both sexes. In each ossification center, except inferior angle, all of the stage 1 and 2 cases in both sexes were under 18 years old. Intraobserver and interobserver evaluations showed that reproducibility and consistency of the method was relatively good. Conclusions: The present study indicated that CT analysis of scapula ossification centers might be helpful in forensic age assessment of living individuals and dry bones.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Estimation Based on Computed Tomography Analysis of the Scapula

Karaman,

Can,

Cekdemir

et al. 2024

Medicina

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Forensic age estimation at the University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva: a retrospective study over 12 years

Thicot,

Egger,

Castiglioni

et al. 2024

Int J Legal Med

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With the undeniable increase in asylum requests from unaccompanied alleged minors, age estimation of living individuals has become an essential part of the routine work in European forensic centers. This study aims to review the forensic age estimations performed in our center since 2010, to evaluate the state-of-the-art of this practice in Switzerland with the evolution of the methodology according to upcoming recommendations. Our institute's expert reports performed between 2010 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We gathered the following parameters: demographic data, morphological characteristics, alleged age compared with the assessed minimum age, sexual maturation, dental and bone age. When available, we collected personal and family history, medical history, records of torture-related/self-inflicted injuries, and information about eating habits that might affect skeletal development. Data collection amounted to 656 cases. Forensic age estimations ordered by the Swiss Secretariat for Migration (SEM) represented 76.4% of cases, with 23.6% of them ordered by the Court/Public Prosecutor. Most alleged minors were male (94.5%) and came from Afghanistan (53.4%). Adjunction of CT scans of the sternoclavicular joints was necessary in 86.4% of cases. Only 25.2% of our reports concluded on most probable minority, with 55.6% of definite majors; in 19.2% of our cases, minority could not be excluded. This study aspires to further broaden our expertise regarding forensic age estimations. Given the increasing migratory flows, we can expect a notable increase in the frequency of these requests. Consequently, this study aims to promote a multidisciplinary approach and the international standardization of the methodology of these estimations.

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Questionnaire survey for the International Journal of Legal Medicine on the occassion of the 26th triennal meeting of the International Academy of Legal Medicine

Schmeling,

Fracasso

2024

Int J Legal Med

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A questionnaire was prepared in advance of the 26th triennial conference of the International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM) and sent to 474 email addresses included in the IALM mailing list. The questionnaire addressed three current challenges faced by the International Journal of Legal Medicine (IJLM): the publication of guidelines and validation studies in the field of legal medicine, the publication ethics of case reports, and the recruitment of new reviewers for the IJLM. The response rate was 20%. The survey results highlight the need for international guidelines in various areas of legal medicine. Some desired guidelines already exist. To provide visibility and knowledge of the existing national guidelines, the IJLM has launched a Topical Collection on Quality Assurance in Legal Medicine. This collection aims to inform readers about country-specific characteristics of legal medicine structures and the existing national guidelines.Around 80% of the participants stated that there are legal or ethical requirements for the publication of forensic case reports or case series. Various options for obtaining consent for publication are discussed. Eighty-six of the 97 participants indicated their willingness to review manuscripts for the IJLM. It is emphasized that the contributions of reviewers should be duly recognized and valued.

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Age assessment in unaccompanied minors: assessing uniformity of protocols across Europe

Cited by 5 publications

References 43 publications

Age Estimation Based on Computed Tomography Analysis of the Scapula

Age Estimation Based on Computed Tomography Analysis of the Scapula

Forensic age estimation at the University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva: a retrospective study over 12 years

Questionnaire survey for the International Journal of Legal Medicine on the occassion of the 26th triennal meeting of the International Academy of Legal Medicine

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