Post by yellowcat on Sept 12, 2010 18:33:54 GMT 1
Austria is to use hand X-rays to determine the age of asylum seekers.
Asylum seekers are often dealt with differently depending on whether they are classed as a child (under 16) or and adult.
The growth plates in hand bones 'fuse' or harden at around 16 years of life.
Forensic anthropologists are to study the X-rays to determine if the person is over 16.
Science in Action podcast Fri, 10 Sep 10 (about 18 minutes in)
www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/scia