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Review
. 2023 Oct;45(10):1239-1261.
doi: 10.1007/s13258-023-01392-8. Epub 2023 May 30.

Getting the chronological age out of DNA: using insights of age-dependent DNA methylation for forensic DNA applications

Jana Naue  1
Affiliations
Review

Getting the chronological age out of DNA: using insights of age-dependent DNA methylation for forensic DNA applications

Jana Naue. Genes Genomics. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Background: DNA analysis for forensic investigations has a long tradition with important developments and optimizations since its first application. Traditionally, short tandem repeats analysis has been the most powerful method for the identification of individuals. However, in addition, epigenetic changes, i.e., DNA methylation, came into focus of forensic DNA research. Chronological age prediction is one promising application to allow for narrowing the pool of possible individuals who caused a trace, as well as to support the identification of unknown bodies and for age verification of living individuals.

Objective: This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge, possibilities, and (current) limitations about DNA methylation-based chronological age prediction with emphasis on forensic application.

Methods: The development, implementation and application of age prediction tools requires a deep understanding about the biological background, the analysis methods, the age-dependent DNA methylation markers, as well as the mathematical models for age prediction and their evaluation. Furthermore, additional influences can have an impact. Therefore, the literature was evaluated in respect to these diverse topics.

Conclusion: The numerous research efforts in recent years have led to a rapid change in our understanding of the application of DNA methylation for chronological age prediction, which is now on the way to implementation and validation. Knowledge of the various aspects leads to a better understanding and allows a more informed interpretation of DNAm quantification results, as well as the obtained results by the age prediction tools.

Keywords: Age-dependent changes; Chronological age prediction; DNA methylation; Forensic epigenetics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of aspects to be considered in respect to the available material, DNAm analysis, and development of age prediction models. In contrast to the trace material that cannot be altered, analysis and model development are tools in which aspects can be considered and optimizations strategies applied
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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