Age Estimation in Forensic Sciences

Alkass, Kanar; Buchholz, Bruce A.; Ohtani, Susumu; Yamamoto, Toshiharu; Druid, Henrik; Spalding, Kirsty L.

doi:10.1074/mcp.m900525-mcp200

Cited by 99 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(45 reference statements)

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“…1). However, in Table S2, we have compiled the enamel DOB as estimated by 14 C levels in this and previous studies [5], [6], [16] and compared the result for each type of tooth with the actual DOB of the person. We show that the error in birth dating can be reduced by subtracting the average enamel 14 C incorporation time instead.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today, the most precise method to determine the age at death is aspartic acid racemization analysis, which is based on the observation that remaining aspartic acid in the tooth trapped during its formation will be converted at a very slow rate from the L-form to the D-form, both of which can be detected and quantified by gas chromatographic methods [2]. These methods applied on enamel, dentin or cementum can provide an estimate of the age of a person with a fairly good precision; using dentin the error may be ±5 years or less [3], [4], [5]. All the methods used to determine age are based on age-dependent alterations in human tissues, and hence they will all give an estimate of the person’s age at death.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From the same teeth, we also performed DNA analysis of the amelogenin gene to determine the sex of the subjects. Finally, the average enamel 14 C incorporation time in different types of teeth from this study were combined with the results from previous studies [5], [6], [16] in order to provide a reference guide for determining the date of birth of persons (Table 6). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of Radiocarbon, Stable Isotopes and DNA in Teeth to Facilitate Identification of Unknown Decedents

et al. 2013

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The characterization of unidentified bodies or suspected human remains is a frequent and important task for forensic investigators. However, any identification method requires clues to the person’s identity to allow for comparisons with missing persons. If such clues are lacking, information about the year of birth, sex and geographic origin of the victim, is particularly helpful to aid in the identification casework and limit the search for possible matches. We present here results of stable isotope analysis of 13C and 18O, and bomb-pulse 14C analyses that can help in the casework. The 14C analysis of enamel provided information of the year of birth with an average absolute error of 1.8±1.3 years. We also found that analysis of enamel and root from the same tooth can be used to determine if the 14C values match the rising or falling part of the bomb-curve. Enamel laydown times can be used to estimate the date of birth of individuals, but here we show that this detour is unnecessary when using a large set of crude 14C data of tooth enamel as a reference. The levels of 13C in tooth enamel were higher in North America than in teeth from Europe and Asia, and Mexican teeth showed even higher levels than those from USA. DNA analysis was performed on 28 teeth, and provided individual-specific profiles in most cases and sex determination in all cases. In conclusion, these analyses can dramatically limit the number of possible matches and hence facilitate person identification work.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of Radiocarbon, Stable Isotopes and DNA in Teeth to Facilitate Identification of Unknown Decedents

et al. 2013

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“…Previously established age classification schemes involved morphological analyses of skeletal features [9], which are still essential for the investigation of human remains; however, they are only applicable to forensic cases that involve solid tissues, like bones and teeth, while results from these tests can be ambiguous [10]. This limitation also applies to chemical methods, such as combined aspartic acid racemization and radiocarbon analyses, which provide precise age estimates [11] but require the presence of preferably dental specimens.…”

Section: Markers and Methods To Estimate Human Chronological Agementioning

confidence: 99%

Age Estimation with DNA: From Forensic DNA Fingerprinting to Forensic (Epi)Genomics: A Mini-Review

Parson

2018

Gerontology

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Forensic genetics developed from protein-based techniques a quarter of a century ago and became famous as “DNA fingerprinting,” this being based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of high-molecular-weight DNA. The amplification of much smaller short tandem repeat (STR) sequences using the polymerase chain reaction soon replaced RFLP analysis and advanced to become the gold standard in genetic identification. Meanwhile, STR multiplexes have been developed and made commercially available which simultaneously amplify up to 30 STR loci from as little as 15 cells or fewer. The enormous information content that comes with the large variety of observed STR genotypes allows for genetic individualisation (with the exception of identical twins). Carefully selected core STR loci form the basis of intelligence-led DNA databases that provide investigative leads by linking unsolved crime scenes and criminals through their matched STR profiles. Nevertheless, the success of modern DNA fingerprinting depends on the availability of reference material from suspects. In order to provide new investigative leads in cases where such reference samples are absent, forensic scientists started to explore the prediction of phenotypic traits from the DNA of the evidentiary sample. This paradigm change now uses DNA and epigenetic markers to forecast characteristics that are useful to triage further investigative work. So far, the best investigated externally visible characteristics are eye, hair and skin colour, as well as geographic ancestry and age. Information on the chronological age of a stain donor (or any sample donor) is elemental for forensic investigations in a number of aspects and has, therefore, been explored by researchers in some detail. Among different methodological approaches tested to date, the methylation-sensitive analysis of carefully selected DNA markers (CpG sites) has brought the most promising results by providing prediction accuracies of ±3–4 years, which can be comparable to, or even surpass those from, eyewitness reports. This mini-review puts recent developments in age estimation via (epi)genetic methods in the context of the requirements and goals of forensic genetics and highlights paths to follow in the future of forensic genomics.

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“…Some methods involve using age-specific characteristics like tooth eruption and dental wear [1,2] , skeletal morphology [1,3] , body morphometrics [4] and bone ossification [5] , although most of these are applicable only after death. In addition, radiocarbon dating and aspartic acid racemization can serve as a tool for age estimation [6,7] , but again, not for living animals. An accurate estimate of age that could be easily obtained with minimal impact would therefore benefit biologists working on natural populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kısa (Chihuahua köpek) ve Uzun (Asya fili) Ömürlü Hayvanlarda Artan Yaş İle Birlikte Telomerik Yıpranma

Buddhachat¹,

Kriangwanich²,

Kumoun³

et al. 2017

Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg

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Citation of This Article AbstractHere, we explored the rate of telomere attrition with increasing age by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in a short-(Chihuahua dog) and long-(Asian elephant) lived species. A total of 122 Asian elephants (female = 106, male = 16) ranging from 24-840 months of age, and 89 Chihuahuas (female = 65, male = 24) 1-179 months of age were used in this study. We found that young (pre-and peri-pubertal) Asian elephants had a higher relative telomere length (RTL) compared to dogs. A low, but significant negative relationship between RTL and increasing age was observed in both Chihuahuas (R 2 =0.0490, P=0.0017) and Asian elephants (R 2 =0.0177, P=0.0210). The estimated rate of telomere loss for males and females of both species ranged from -0.0023 to -0.0065, with no clear differences between gender or species. Results suggest that Asian elephants may start with longer telomeres than Chihuahuas, as RTL was higher, but then the rate of telomere attrition proceeds at a similar rate in both species. Age accounted for only a small percentage of the variation in RTL in both Chihuahua dogs and Asian elephants, however. Thus, its use as a biological tool for age estimation would appear to be limited for these species. Keywords: Age, Asian elephant, Dog, Telomere Kısa (Chihuahua köpek) ve Uzun (Asya fili) Ömürlü Hayvanlarda Artan Yaş İle Birlikte Telomerik Yıpranma ÖzetBu çalışmada, kısa (Chihuahua köpek) ve uzun (Asya fili) ömürlü hayvanlarda artan yaş ile birlikte telomerik yıpranma oranı gerçek zamanlı kantitatif PCR (qPCR) kullanılarak araştırıldı. Yaşları 24-840 hafta arasında değişen toplam 122 Asya fili (106 dişi ve 16 erkek) ile 1-179 aylık Chihuahua (65 dişi ve 24 erkek) çalışmada kullanıldı. Genç Asya filleri (pre-ve peri-puberte) köpekler ile karşılaştırıldığında daha fazla orantısal telomer uzunluğuna sahip olduğu tespit edildi. Hem Chihuahua (R 2 =0.0490, P=0.0017) hem de Asya fillerinde (R 2 =0.0177, P=0.0210) orantısal telomer uzunluğu ile artan yaş arasında düşük ama anlamlı negatif yönlü bir ilişki gözlemlendi. Her iki tür için erkek ve dişi hayvanlardaki tahmini telomer kayıp oranı 0.0023 ile 0.0065 arasında değişirken tür veya cinsiyet yönünden bir fark tespit edilmedi. Elde edilen sonuçlar daha fazla orantısal telomer uzunluğuna sahip olan Asya fillerinin Chihuahua köpeklerden daha uzun telomer ile başladıklarını ancak daha sonra telomer yıpranmanın her iki türde de benzer oranda şekillendiğini gösterdi. Hem Chihuahua köpeklerde hem de Asya fillerinde orantısal telomer uzunluğundaki varyasyonun sadece küçük bir yüzdesi yaşa bağlıdır. Bu sebeple, yaş tayininde bir biyolojik araç olarak kullanılması bu türlerde sınırlı gözükmektedir.

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Age Estimation in Forensic Sciences

Cited by 99 publications

References 25 publications

Analysis of Radiocarbon, Stable Isotopes and DNA in Teeth to Facilitate Identification of Unknown Decedents

Analysis of Radiocarbon, Stable Isotopes and DNA in Teeth to Facilitate Identification of Unknown Decedents

Age Estimation with DNA: From Forensic DNA Fingerprinting to Forensic (Epi)Genomics: A Mini-Review

Kısa (Chihuahua köpek) ve Uzun (Asya fili) Ömürlü Hayvanlarda Artan Yaş İle Birlikte Telomerik Yıpranma

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