Schmeling Andreas, Reisinger Walter, Geserick Gunther, Olze Andreas
Institute of Legal Medicine, Charité-University Hospital of Berlin, Hittorfstr. 18, D-14195, Berlin,
Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2005 Dec;1(4):239-46. doi: 10.1385/FSMP:1:4:239.
In recent years, many countries have experienced a sharp increase in the demand for forensic age estimates of live persons. From a legal perspective, such age estimates are carried out to determine whether a suspect without valid identity documents has reached the age of criminal responsibility and whether general criminal law in force for adults applies. In many countries, the age thresholds of relevance to criminal prosecution lie between 14 and 21 years.In line with recommendations issued by the Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics for determining the age of live subjects in criminal proceedings, a forensic age estimate should combine the results of a physical examination, an x-ray of the hand, and a dental examination that records dentition status and evaluates an orthopantomogram. In addition, a radiological or computed tomographic examination of the clavicles is recommended to establish whether a person has attained 21 years of age.This article addresses the influence of ethnicity on the examined developmental systems. In so doing, the authors conclude that forensic age estimates should pay due heed to the proband's socioeconomic status and ethnic origin.
近年来，许多国家对活体法医年龄估计的需求急剧增加。从法律角度来看，进行此类年龄估计是为了确定没有有效身份证件的嫌疑人是否已达到刑事责任年龄，以及适用于成年人的一般刑法是否适用。在许多国家，与刑事起诉相关的年龄门槛在14至21岁之间。根据法医年龄诊断研究小组发布的关于在刑事诉讼中确定活体年龄的建议，法医年龄估计应结合体格检查、手部X光检查以及记录牙列状况并评估全景曲面断层片的牙科检查结果。此外，建议对锁骨进行放射学或计算机断层扫描检查，以确定一个人是否已满21岁。本文探讨了种族对所检查的发育系统的影响。在此过程中，作者得出结论，法医年龄估计应适当考虑被检查者的社会经济地位和种族出身。
