Scientific advisers have recommended the Home Office introduce MRI scans and X-rays of teeth and bones to check the biological age of illegal immigrants who claim to be children, but the advisers say the tests should be voluntary.
In January 2022 former Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The practice of single grown adult men, masquerading as children, claiming asylum is an appalling abuse of our system which we will end. By posing as children, these adult men go on to access children’s services and schools through deception and deceit, putting children and young adults in school and care at risk.”
She commissioned the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee (AESAC) to advise the Home Office on “scientifically based methodologies” which might assist in determining the age of unaccompanied minors whose age was disputed….