Age assessment is the process by which authorities seek to establish the chronological age, or range of age, or determine whether an individual is an adult or a child. The assessment must be conducted in a scientific, safe, child and gender-sensitive and fair manner, avoiding any risk of violation of the physical integrity of the child, giving due respect to human dignity. Age assessment should only be used where there are grounds for serious doubt of an individual’s age.

Based on the EASO publication ‘Age assessment practice in Europe’, available at www.easo.europa.eu.