Age-related DNA Methylation Analysis for Forensic Age Estimation Using Post-mortem Blood Samples from Japanese Individuals

AbstractAge estimation based on the analysis of DNA methylation patterns has become a focus of forensic research within the past few years. However, there is little data available regarding postmortem DNA methylation analysis yet, and literature mainly encompasses analysis of blood from corpses without any signs of decomposition. It is not entirely clear yet which other types of specimen are suitable for postmortem epigenetic age estimation, and if advanced decomposition may affect methylation patterns of CpG sites. In living persons, buccal swabs are an easily accessible source of DNA for epigenetic age estimation. In this work, the applicability of this approach (buccal swabs as source of DNA) under different postmortem conditions was tested. Methylation levels of PDE4C were investigated in buccal swab samples collected from 73 corpses (0–90 years old; mean: 51.2) in different stages of decomposition. Moreover, buccal swab samples from 142 living individuals (0–89 years old; mean 41.2) were analysed. As expected, methylation levels exhibited a high correlation with age in living individuals (training set: r2 = 0.87, validation set: r2 = 0.85). This was also the case in postmortem samples (r2 = 0.90), independent of the state of decomposition. Only in advanced putrified cases with extremely low DNA amounts, epigenetic age estimation was not possible. In conclusion, buccal swabs are a suitable and easy to collect source for DNA methylation analysis as long as sufficient amounts of DNA are present.

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Development and inter-laboratory validation of the VISAGE enhanced tool for age estimation from semen using quantitative DNA methylation analysis

Forensic Science International Genetics ◽

10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102596 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102596

Author(s):

A Heidegger ◽

A Pisarek ◽

M de la Puente ◽

H Niederstätter ◽

E Pośpiech ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Age Estimation ◽

Methylation Analysis ◽

Dna Methylation Analysis

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Biological age estimation using DNA methylation analysis: A systematic review

Scientific Dental Journal ◽

10.4103/sdj.sdj_27_20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Nurtami Soedarsono ◽

MuhammadGarry Syahrizal Hanafi ◽

ElzaIbrahim Auerkari

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

Age Estimation ◽

Biological Age ◽

Methylation Analysis ◽

Dna Methylation Analysis

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DNA methylation analysis of candidate genes associated with dementia in peripheral blood

Epigenomics ◽

10.2217/epi-2020-0236 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (23) ◽

pp. 2109-2123

Author(s):

Peter D Fransquet ◽

Paul Lacaze ◽

Richard Saffery ◽

James Phung ◽

Emily Parker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Effect Size ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Methylation Analysis ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Gender Education ◽

Dna Methylation Analysis

Aim: To investigate whether genes implicated in dementia pathogenesis are differently methylated in peripheral blood. Materials & methods: Participants included 160 cognitively healthy individuals aged 70+ years: 73 who were subsequently diagnosed with dementia and 87 controls matched on age, gender, education, smoking and baseline cognition. A total of 49 participants also provided blood samples at diagnosis. Blood DNA methylation of APOE, APP, BDNF, PIN1, SNCA and TOMM40 was examined. Results: A total of 56 of 299 probes were differentially methylated in dementia compared with controls and 39 probes prior to diagnosis. The greatest effect size was in APP (cg19423170, Δ-8.32%, adjusted p = 0.009 at diagnosis; cg19933173, Δ-4.18%, adjusted p < 0.0001 prediagnosis). Conclusion: Genes implicated in dementia pathogenesis show differential blood methylation in dementia, even prior to diagnosis.

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Age-related changes in the hyoid bone: An autopsy-based radiological analysis

Medicine Science and the Law ◽

10.1177/00258024211020278 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002580242110202

Author(s):

Devendra Jadav ◽

Rutwik Shedge ◽

Tanuj Kanchan ◽

Vikas Meshram ◽

Pawan Kumar Garg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Hyoid Bone ◽

The Body ◽

Forensic Age Estimation ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Post Mortem Examination ◽

Bone Fusion ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

Forensic age estimation is a crucial aspect of the biological profile of unidentified cadavers. The utility of age-related changes of hyoid bone fusion in forensic age estimation has not been explored much in the past. These age-related changes can be visualised in both the living and the dead using conventional radiography. These changes can assist medico-legal professionals and forensic anthropologists in the identification of unknown deceased, especially when the cadaver is mutilated or charred or when the other well-established indicators of skeletal and dental maturity are absent. The aims of this study were to evaluate age-related changes in the hyoid bone and to ascertain whether these changes may be utilised for age estimation in forensic examinations. The hyoid bone was carefully dissected using a standard procedure from 75 cadavers during post-mortem examination. The hyoid bone was radiographed, and the bone was replaced in the body cavity before the post-mortem examination was completed. Hyoid bone fusion was studied by using a standard grading method. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was calculated between the fusion scores and chronological age to assess their relationship. Box and whisker plots of fusion stage-wise age distribution were constructed to demonstrate the gradual linear relationship between hyoid bone fusion and the chronological age of the study participants. The present study concludes that hyoid bone fusion is an indicator of the chronological age of an individual and can be used in conjunction with other methods of age estimation such as the skeletal and dental age.

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