Human age estimation through DNA metilation analysis method from bite mark samples in forensic identification

Abstract

Background: Age estimation are often calculated using bone and teeth samples, but are limited to human skeleton findings. The aim of this research is to estimate human age through DNA methylation method from bite mark samples. Result: There were 40 bite mark samples obtained from healthy volunteers. DNA samples were isolated using DNAzol reagent and converted using DNA methylation kit. The isolated DNA were amplified and electrophoreses was conducted using agarose gel. Electrophoresis result was used as length reference for the sequenced band and analyzed for methylation percentage and correlation with age estimation. Statistical test showed that there was a significant correlation between DNA methylation percentage with age estimation both in men (r Pearson 0.767) and women (r Pearson 0.878). Conclusion: Cpgplot emboss analysis for DNA methylation mean percentage in men tend to increase in accordance to age categories, whereas for women, the mean DNA methylation percentage in age categories was stable or constant.