European scientists create DNA tool that can predict age within three years
A multinational team of European scientists has developed a groundbreaking forensic DNA tool capable of estimating a person’s age with unprecedented accuracy — within three years or less — a breakthrough that could transform criminal investigations across Europe and beyond.
The new technology was developed under the VISAGE project (Visible Attributes through Genomics), a research initiative uniting experts from more than a dozen institutions, including Poland’s Jagiellonian University and the Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police in Warsaw.
According to researchers, the innovation closes a long-standing gap in forensic science. Existing DNA-based age prediction methods, first introduced in 2011, often fail when biological samples are degraded or incomplete — a frequent challenge in crime scene investigations.
“The project aimed to develop methods that would allow us to predict various human characteristics with high accuracy, such as appearance, biogeographical origin, and age based on DNA,” said Dr. Ewelina Pospiech, professor at Pomeranian Medical University, who worked on the research during her tenure at Jagiellonian University.
Unlocking the biological clock in DNA
The new tool works by analyzing DNA methylation — a chemical process in which methyl compounds attach to DNA strands, subtly altering gene activity. These methylation patterns change predictably as humans age, forming what scientists describe as a biological clock.
By improving both laboratory and software techniques, the VISAGE team achieved a more precise model, capable of analyzing even degraded forensic samples that previous methods could not reliably interpret.
Transforming forensic investigations
The enhanced accuracy of the system could significantly aid investigators by narrowing suspect pools.
“The more precisely the age of the person from whom the sample originates can be determined, the more the pool of suspects is narrowed,” Pospiech told Polish state news agency PAP.
Describing the work as a “major success for Poland,” Pospiech told TVP World that the new tool is currently undergoing international testing and validation in forensic laboratories around the world.
“This is truly a significant achievement,” she said. “The tool is being tested globally for real-world forensic use.”
The VISAGE project’s success underscores Europe’s growing leadership in forensic genomics, offering law enforcement agencies a powerful new instrument to identify individuals and solve complex criminal cases.
