Forensic Age Estimation through a DNA Methylation-Based Age Prediction Model in the Italian Population: A Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• DNA methylation is a key epigenetic marker increasingly utilized for forensic age prediction.
• Standardizing protocols is crucial for integrating epigenetic age estimation into routine forensic casework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To standardize and optimize a DNA methylation-based protocol for forensic age prediction.
• To tailor the protocol for the Italian population context.
• To evaluate the accuracy of the optimized method using a previously established age-prediction model.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a published protocol using the Single Base Extension method.
• Analysis of 84 blood samples from Central Italy.
• Focus on five specific genes: ELOVL2, FHL2, KLF14, MIR29B2C, and TRIM59.
• Involved DNA extraction, bisulfite conversion, amplification, purification, single base extension, capillary electrophoresis, and data analysis.

Main Results:

• The optimized protocol achieved a mean absolute deviation of 3.12 years in the training set and 3.01 years in the test set.
• The method demonstrated reliable age prediction accuracy within the studied population.

Conclusions:

• The standardized DNA methylation protocol shows promise for forensic age prediction in the Italian population.
• Further validation with a larger, more diverse Italian sample set is recommended to account for potential population-based methylation differences.