Skeletal age determination in adolescents involved in judicial procedures: from evidence-based principles to medical practice. Issue 2 (4th February 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pruvost, Marie-Odile; Boraud, Cyril; Chariot, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical ethics. Volume 36:Issue 2(2010)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2010-02-04
• Subjects: Skeletal age -- age estimation -- forensic medicine -- medical ethics -- adolescent -- law -- scientific research -- quality -- value of life -- personhood; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; 174.2
• DOI: 10.1136/jme.2009.031948
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-6800

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The ideal basis of age estimation is considered to be a combination of clinical, skeletal and dental examinations. It is not easy to determine how forensic physicians take account of evidence-based data obtained from medical journals in their medical decision-making. The question of what is an ethically acceptable probability that adolescents are incorrectly considered to be over 18 has not been answered. Methods: In a retrospective study over 1 year (2007), 498 files (for 141 female subjects and 357 male subjects) regarding age assessment requested by the public prosecutor's office for purposes of criminal or asylum proceedings were reviewed. Chronological age was estimated from a combination of physical examination, radiographic examination of the left hand and determination of dental status. Results: Estimates of chronological age in 498 subjects claiming to be 9–14 years old were incompatible with the alleged age in 356 (71%) when made by the forensic physician but in only 17 (3%) when based on data from published studies on age estimation in adolescents. Conclusions: The present study suggests that in most cases the forensic physician ignores the adolescent's word. Medical mission and ethics imply a need to listen to the claims of persons in custody, whatever the risk of false claims. This situation should prompt forensic physicians to keep up with published data on estimating the age of adolescents.