Abstract

GARAMENDI, P.M.; LANDA, M.I.; BALLESTEROS, J.  and  SOLANO, M.A.. Legal estimation of age around 18 years: A study of immigrants of Moroccan origin without identification papers. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2003, n.31, pp.25-35. ISSN 1988-611X.

We present a review of a population of 114 immigrant Moroccan males for which an age estimate was requested. The subjects' real chronological age was confirmed by the Moroccan Embassy in Spain. The confirmed age range was between 13 and 25, with an average age of 18.1 years and a typical deviation of 2.03. The following tests were performed to arrive at the forensic estimation of age: general physical examination, carpus X-ray (Greulich and Pyle method) and dental orthopantomography to determine the degree of maturity of the third inferior molars (Dermijian's method). Carpus X-ray (skeletal age) was the most useful method, followed by Dermijian's method (dental age), as prediction factors of a chronological age of over or under 18. The combination of skeletal and dental age variables represented a significant improvement in the prediction of the chronological age of the subjects in this population, reducing the number of ethically unacceptable test errors to a minimum.

Keywords : Age determination by skeleton; forensic age estimation; bone age; dental age; age minority; Morocco.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )