Polish scientists have co-authored one of the most advanced forensic tools capable of estimating a person’s age to within a few years from a DNA sample. The models are now being tested in laboratories worldwide.
The project, VISAGE (VISible Attributes through GEnomics), involved more than a dozen research centers across Europe. Led by the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Poland was represented by the Jagiellonian University and the Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police in Warsaw.
“This project is a major success for Poland, because the tool it generated is currently being tested and validated worldwide. This is truly a significant achievement,” said Ewelina Pośpiech, PhD, a professor at the Pomeranian Medical University and former Jagiellonian University researcher, who was involved in the project.
Pośpiech explained that VISAGE aimed “to develop methods that would allow it to predict various human characteristics with high accuracy, such as appearance, biogeographical origin, and age – based on DNA.” The Polish team focused on predictive models for age determination.
DNA as a clock
The tool relies on DNA methylation, a chemical process in which methyl groups are added to DNA strands. While this does not alter genetic information, it affects gene activity. “With age, the methylation pattern changes in a predictable way, creating a specific biological clock,” Pośpiech said.
Epigenetic clocks, first developed in 2011 in biomedical research, continue to improve in accuracy as more markers are incorporated. But as Pośpiech emphasized, “what works in science and biomedical research doesn't necessarily work in forensics. In police laboratories, scientists often have small amounts of biological material at their disposal, and it is often degraded. Therefore, other solutions are needed – simpler, yet still extremely precise ones.”
“Models used in forensics must be based on a smaller number of DNA markers, carefully selected for a specific purpose. Furthermore, they must be integrated with technologies used in forensic laboratories to make the entire process practical,” she said.
Pośpiech added that DNA-based age determination is crucial in investigations. “The more precisely the age of the person from whom the sample originates can be determined, the more the pool of suspects is narrowed.”
She noted, “The models we created are capable of estimating this age with an accuracy of up to three years, and sometimes even less.” The team, led by Pośpiech under Professor Wojciech Branicki, developed five predictive models tailored to different tissues: blood, semen, oral swabs, bone, and cartilage.
A Complete Solution for Forensic Labs
VISAGE combines laboratory and IT components. DNA methylation data is analyzed by specialized software, which produces an age estimate.
“The advantage of this solution is that we have a complete system: from DNA isolation and laboratory analysis of its methylation, to the final result in the computer program. It is a fully functional tool,” Pośpiech said.
The system has passed standard validation and is now being tested internationally. “Different groups are testing how the tool performs in their populations. This step is necessary before implementing it in practice,” she added.
Biological and chronological age
Pośpiech explained that epigenetic clocks fall into two categories. The first, used in forensics, predicts chronological age using markers stable across environments. The second, used in biomedical research, estimates biological age by analyzing markers sensitive to lifestyle and disease.
For VISAGE, stable markers were essential. “You could say it ticks with the rhythm of time. Its methylation changes in a very predictable way as the body ages, and at the same time, it is resistant to environmental influences,” she said, referring to the ELOVL2 gene.
VISAGE has generated strong interest among scientists and forensic experts. “Our contribution to this tool is a major success for Polish science and an example of how basic research can translate into practical tools that help identify individuals and support investigations,” Pośpiech said.
In September 2025, a follow-up project, ForMAT (Forensic Methylation Analysis Toolkit), was launched with European Union funding. Eleven institutions, including Poland’s Pomeranian Medical University and Jagiellonian University, are participating.
The project will build on VISAGE to develop advanced age-prediction tools, including the high-accuracy identification of minors in migration cases. It will also incorporate models to analyze lifestyle and behavioral patterns, supporting the creation of perpetrator profiles.
PAP - Science in Poland, Katarzyna Czechowicz
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