Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40243941›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of molecular sciences2025

Advancing Forensic Human Chronological Age Estimation: Biochemical, Genetic, and Epigenetic Approaches from the Last 15 Years: A Systematic Review.

Beatrice Marcante, Laura Marino, Narjis Elisa Cattaneo, Arianna Delicati, Pamela Tozzo, Luciana Caenazzo

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Beatrice MarcanteLegal Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.
Laura MarinoLegal Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.
Narjis Elisa CattaneoLegal Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.
Arianna DelicatiLegal Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7891-2382
Pamela TozzoLegal Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3736-1144
Luciana CaenazzoLegal Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3142-2874

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Forensic age estimation is crucial for identifying unknown individuals and narrowing suspect pools in criminal investigations. Over the past 15 years, significant progress has been made in using biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic markers to estimate chronological age.

methodsFrom research on PubMed a total of 155 studies, related to advancements in age prediction techniques, were selected following PRISMA guidelines. Studies considered eligible dealt with radiocarbon dating, aspartic acid racemization, mitochondrial DNA analysis, signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles, RNA analysis, telomeres, and DNA methylation in the last 15 years and were summarized in a table.

resultsDespite these advancements, challenges persist, including variability in prediction accuracy, sample degradation, and the lack of standardization and reproducibility. DNA methylation emerged as the most promising approach capable of high accuracy across diverse populations and age ranges. Multimodal methods integrating several biomarkers show promise in improving reliability and addressing these limitations.

conclusionWhile significant progress has been made, further standardization, validation, and technological integration are needed to enhance forensic age estimation. These efforts are essential for meeting the growing demands of forensic science while addressing ethical and legal considerations.

Indexed as

AgingEpigenesis, GeneticForensic GeneticsBiomarkersDNA MethylationDNA, MitochondrialEpigenomicsHumansBiomarkersDNA, Mitochondrialage estimationepigeneticsforensic geneticsreview

Identifiers

PMID40243941
PMCPMC11988829

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.