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

• Main Authors: NUZZOLESE, Emilio, MILOSEVIC, Sasa, RICHTER, Svend, MILOSAVLJEVIC, Ivica, MICIC, Marko, LIUZZI, Claudia, DI VELLA, Giancarlo
• Other Authors: The American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: American Academy of Forensic Sciences 2010
• Subjects: Dental Age Estimation; Asylum seeker; refuges; Avery; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2318/1503194

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 ...