Forensic age estimation in Barcelona: analysis of expert reports issued between 2011 and 2018

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, there has been a notable increase of migratory movements into Europe with the arrival of not (reliably) documented young individuals within EU-Member States. Accordingly, the need for forensic age assessments likewise increased in order to administratively differentiate along the legally relevant cut-off age of 18 completed years. The objective of our study was to analyse the expert reports of forensic age estimation issued in Barcelona between 2011 and 2018. METHOD: In all cases, data on the medical history, physical examination, radiology of the left hand and orthopantomography were collected. In cases without third molars and a complete ossification of the hand, a CT scan of the clavicles was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 2754 expert reports were evaluated; 96.7% were males, the majority were of North African origin, mainly from Morocco (63.6%), and 19.6% were sub-Saharan Africans; 65.4% had a level of bone maturation corresponding to the last three standards of Greulich and Pyle. Most cases had mineralization of the third molar corresponding to the F, G or H stages of Demirjian. In 85.9%, there was a correspondence between bone and dental age. A total of 28.8% of the subjects were evaluated as being aged over 18 years; 86.2% of North Africans were considered to be younger than 18, and 82% of sub-Saharan Africans were considered to be over 18 years old. CONCLUSIONS: In Barcelona, most of the subjects evaluated were male and North African, and 71.2% of the cases were considered to be minors.