Universität zu Köln

Ritz-Timme, S., Schneider, P. M., Mahlke, N. S., Koop, B. E. and Eickhoff, S. B. (2018). Age estimation based on DNA methylation. Ready for use to establish the chronological age of young migrants without valid identity documents? Rechtsmedizin, 28 (3). S. 202 - 208. NEW YORK: SPRINGER. ISSN 1434-5196

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Abstract

In Germany, a public discussion has recently been initiated on age determination of young migrants without valid identity documents. With reference to the so-called Horvath clock it has been frequently asked whether methods for age estimation based on DNA methylation analysis can already be used in forensic practice. Against this background it was examined whether the epigenetic methods proposed so far for age estimation already meet the requirements that have to be met in the German legal system before being used in forensic practice. The epigenetic approach for age estimation is undoubtedly promising; however, it has to be concluded that this approach is not yet sufficiently mature for use in forensic practice, because essential research questions still remain unclear and the error ranges that can be anticipated from the published data still appear to be too high for an application in cases of young migrants with unknown age. After clarification of all relevant research questions and adequate optimization of appropriate methods with respect to their accuracy, it would be necessary to formulate scientific standards (from sampling to the details of expert opinions) and to establish further quality assurance strategies (e.aEuro<overline>g. interlaboratory proficiency testing). Only in this way will it be possible to ensure a level of expertise that is indispensable in the forensic context in Germany. Of course, when using these methods, relevant legal and ethical principles will have to be taken into account.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Ritz-Timme, S. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Schneider, P. M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Mahlke, N. S. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Koop, B. E. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Eickhoff, S. B. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-185420
DOI:	10.1007/s00194-018-0249-3
Journal or Publication Title:	Rechtsmedizin
Volume:	28
Number:	3
Page Range:	S. 202 - 208
Date:	2018
Publisher:	SPRINGER
Place of Publication:	NEW YORK
ISSN:	1434-5196
Language:	German
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language PREDICTION; MARKERS; COMBINATION; SAMPLES; BLOOD; SET Multiple languages Medicine, Legal Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/18542