Dental age estimation of unaccompanied minors as a part of human rights protection in Europa

After attending this presentation, attendees will have anunderstanding of some of the procedures used in European countries forage estimation of unaccompanied minors.This presentation will impact the forensic science community byshowing the importance of age assessment for protection of human rights.The increase in migratory flows in Europe, and the subsequentcomplexities resulting from them taken in the broader context ofglobalization, has revealed a number of problems, such as the protectionof human rights, identification of those with the right to apply for refugeestatus, and the age estimation of unaccompanied minors.Unaccompanied asylum seekers deemed to be under 18-years-old face avery different path through the immigration system from that followed byadults. Generally, adults are subject to immediate deportation ordetention in jail. Minors are processed through the juvenile system,where detection is not mandatory; they will often have access toeducational programs and may be granted a residency permit. Theassessment of chronological age is notoriously difficult. Age assessmentis particularly difficult for those who are aged between 15 and 20 years,yet it is precisely this age group where the assessment of age and theoutcome of the process is most critical.In this context dental age estimation methods have proved versatileand are used effectively in various European countries facing the problemof illegal immigration. The purpose of this presentation is to showdifferent examples of dental age estimation through case studies, whereodontologists played a major role in age assessment. A review of sixunaccompanied asylum seeker/refugees cases from Iceland, Italy andSerbia are presented.Case 1: Presents a case in Iceland which was requested byIcelandic Directorate of Immigrants. A male from Albaniainsisting to be 16-years-old, was found to be over 20.Case 2: Presents a case in Iceland which was requested byIcelandic Directorate of Immigrants where a female fromChina claiming to be 17. Estimates confirmed the probabilitythat the she was the age claimed, given the standard deviation.Kullman (1992), Mincer (1993) and Haavikko (1970) dentalage estimation methods were employed.Cases 3 & 4: Presents two cases in Italy which were requestedby Immigration Police authorities and Judges. A male fromNigeria and a male from Iraq, both claiming to be minors.Relying on skeletal maturation as seen on an x-ray of the wrist,iliac crests, and dental panoramic (Harris, 1984; Kullman, 1992and Moorrees, 1963), together with background informationand external examination of each individual, only case twoproved to be under 18.Cases 5 & 6: Presents two cases from Serbia requested bySerbian NGO “Praxis.” The cases examined regard tworefugees from Kosovo who escaped after NATO bombing in* Presenting Author 2631999. In both cases, tables by Kahl & Schwartz (1988) Mincer(1993), Olze (2003), Orhan (2007), Gunst (2003), and fromSmith (1991) were employed by an odontologist to verify thereal year of birth in order to issue proper identificationdocuments. The experts’ report was based on therecommendations of Forensic Age Estimation Study Group ofthe German Association for Forensic Medicine includinganthropometric measures and radiological analysis of the wrist.The age claimed was confirmed by the procedures.The presentation does not attempt to give a definitive account of thedifferent scientific methods for the assessment of age, but age estimationof unaccompanied minors is a fundamental principle of human rights anddignity. Apossible increase in the accuracy of age estimation process canonly be achieved by using multiple age estimation parameters. In orderto achieve and maximize the effectiveness of the age assessment process,implementation of international standards through a technical table withthe political will is needed. Nevertheless, more observational [...]