Academic Journal

Age estimation of burnt human remains through DNA methylation analysis.

Λεπτομέρειες βιβλιογραφικής εγγραφής
Τίτλος: Age estimation of burnt human remains through DNA methylation analysis.
Συγγραφείς: Grignani, Pierangela, Bertoglio, Barbara, Monti, Maria Cristina, Cuoghi Costantini, Riccardo, Ricci, Ugo, Onofri, Martina, Fattorini, Paolo, Previderè, Carlo
Πηγή: International Journal of Legal Medicine; Jan2025, Vol. 139 Issue 1, p175-185, 11p
Θεματικοί όροι: Life sciences, DNA analysis, Forensic genetics, DNA data banks, DNA methylation
Περίληψη: The identification of human fire victims is a challenging task in forensic medicine. The heat-induced alterations of biological tissues can make the conventional anthropological analyses difficult. Even if the DNA profile of the victim is achieved, it is possible that no match can be found in a forensic DNA database, thus hindering positive identification. In such cases, any information useful to nail down a possible identity should be collected, such as DNA methylation analysis which could provide useful investigative leads. In the present study, five age-related epigenetic markers (ELOVL2, FHL2, KLF14, C1orf132, and TRIM59) were initially analysed in blood samples of 72 living Italian individuals of known age, using a Single Base Extension (SBE) assay. An age prediction model was built by multiple linear regression including all the markers (Mean Absolute Error, MAE: 3.15 years). This model was tested on 29 blood samples collected during autopsies from burnt human remains, already identified through DNA analysis, providing a MAE of 6.92 years. The model allowed a correct prediction in 79.3% of the cases (95% prediction interval), while six cases were associated with inaccurate predictions (min-max prediction error: 9.8–37.3 years). Among the different sample variables considered to explain these results, only the DNA degradation index was a relevant factor affecting the reliability of the predictions. In conclusion, the SBE typing of blood from burnt remains proved to be a reliable tool to estimate chronological age of most of the samples, also in consideration of its cost-effectiveness and the availability of CE sequencers in every forensic genetics laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Βάση Δεδομένων: Complementary Index
Περιγραφή
ISSN:09379827
DOI:10.1007/s00414-024-03320-1