I Was Right There Is A Test...

[cassa333]

....that can tell whether someone is a child or adult. Why would the dental association say it is unethical to do it if it is a legitimate test to do.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37700074

It isn't 100% accurate but there are other test that can also be done in conjunction.

[Islay]

I am not being rude - in fact I went out of my way to be as polite to that comment as I could.

[youngmafbog]

Islay just what sort of person are you?

Do you honestly think that comment insinuating Naomi has Nazi ideas is acceptable?

[youngmafbog]

No, not rude. Beyond that.

[naomi24]

1ozzy, you clearly revel in dramatics as much as Islay does!

[naomi24]

Islay, don't hold back on my account. Let your imagination run wild.

[Islay]

If a MOD or the Ed see fit to remove it as unacceptable so be it.

But if Naomi can make such comments then surely I am allowed to reply to said comment.

[naomi24]

Islay, of course you are allowed to reply. Whether or not you choose to reply in a sensible manner is up to you.

[Old_Geezer]

The comparison isn't wrong. It's exploring the question of degree between what's acceptable and what not. I'm unsure that getting a dose of radiation that, each day, many folk agree to have, is that unethical. But the value, if it isn't that accurate, is questionable.

[1ozzy]

Oh deary me.

[naomi24]

Old_Geezer, if the test, as has been claimed, is useless, the British Dental Association need only to have said that – but they didn’t. They introduced ethics into the equation which leads me to believe that this is a reasonable method of determining whether or not someone claiming to be a child is in fact an adult.

[Gromit]

Just looked on a couple of forensics sites, and they seem to think a within 5 years accuracy is good. Obviously it would be useless in this case.

[naomi24]

Gromit, //Obviously it would be useless in this case.//

Why? Surely if it can determine that someone is an adult, it's not useless.

[dannyk13]

If there is a five year accuracy limit, then it cannot determine if a person is an adult.If a 20 year old took the test then it could show he was 15 or 25.

[mikey4444]

I see that nobody is denying the issue of the teeth test not be able to distinguish between 14 and 18 years olds.

I also see that the usual outbreak of childish squabbling has started !

[naomi24]

dannyk13, in that case there would be instances where people could be given the benefit of the doubt.

Mikey, //I also see that the usual outbreak of childish squabbling has started ! //

Tell that to Islay and 1ozzy. I will defend myself against stupid inferences - without reference to you!

[dannyk13]

/// in that case there would be instances where people could be given the benefit of the doubt///
Is that not what has already happened here?

[naomi24]

dannyk13, it is - but for no apparent reason.

[-Talbot-]

What is wrong with people?
Where is the harm in a 30 year old man saying he is 14?
Get him over and get him school for God sake.

Schools need a good shake up, they are not diverse enough ... too many bloody kids!

[anotheoldgit]

On yesterdays TV news it covered a rather very tall 'child' being reunited with his elder brother, and it was reported that the 'child' would not live with his brother but would be fostered out.

Have we not got enough children of our own who need fostering out?

[cassa333]

The dental test in and of itself isn't the only test and should be in conjunction with other ones.

I would suggest someone look at a school full of children and put them in order of what age they look and see what difference there is with actual age. Definitely not scientific but a starting point because the majority of people have looked at the photos and said they are not children just by the look.

Taking out the question of medical conditions there must be blood tests that can determine if not an age at least adulthood. If they can dig up 1000yr old mummy's and say 'this was an adult female' or 'this is a male juvenile' I am sure they can do it with a living person.

We, as any country, have a duty to protect children, but when there appears to be blatant abuse of that then we should, to protect ourselves and children in actual danger do something to safeguard the process.

If it turns out we have let in adults and things start to unravel how long will it be before people start to stop careing about those real children on danger.

Tests wouldn't be just to safeguard ourselves it is to safeguard the safety of those that will follow.