Successfully determined human age based on DNA sample alone

An international research team has successfully developed a forensic tool capable of estimating a person's age within just a few years based on a DNA sample.

Methyl chemical groups are attached to DNA strands to regulate gene activity, a process that changes over time and may reflect a person's biological age. (Source: Adobe Stock)

More than 10 institutions across Europe have taken part in the project, called VISAGE (Visible Attributes through Genomics), including Poland's Jagiellonian University and the National Police's Central Forensic Laboratory in Warsaw.

Dr. Ewelina Pośpiech, Professor at Pomeranian Medical University and former researcher at Jagiellonian University, is also involved in the project and calls it a great success for Poland.

“This tool is currently being tested and validated worldwide . This is a truly remarkable achievement,” she said. The project aims to develop methods that can predict a wide range of human characteristics with high accuracy, such as appearance, biological origin, geography and age, all based on DNA.

The tool works based on the process of DNA methylation, in which methyl chemical groups are attached to DNA strands to regulate gene activity, a process that changes over time and can reflect a person's biological age.

According to Ms. Pośpiech, although methylation-based techniques have been applied since 2011, they are often limited in criminal investigation practice because biological samples are often small, degraded or damaged.

Led by the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the VISAGE project has developed a more accurate model that combines laboratory analysis and specialized software, which can estimate a person's age with an error of only three years or less.

Dr. Pośpiech emphasized that the more accurately the age is determined, the narrower the scope of suspects in investigations.

Additionally, in September 2025, a follow-up project called ForMAT (Forensic Methylation Analysis Toolkit) was launched with funding from the European Union (EU). Eleven institutions are involved, including the Pomeranian Medical University and the Jagiellonian University of Poland.

This project will build on the work of VISAGE to develop advanced age prediction tools, including the ability to determine the age of minors in migration-related cases with high accuracy. In addition, the project will also integrate lifestyle and behavioral analysis models to support the development of perpetrator profile characteristics.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/xac-dinh-thanh-cong-tuoi-nguoi-chi-dua-tren-mau-adn-333122.html