Russian Scientists Develop Digital Assistant for Forensic Examiners
The new software can estimate a woman’s age with high accuracy by analyzing age-related changes in internal organs.
Russian researchers have unveiled a digital tool that could change how identity is established in complex forensic cases. Scientists from Perm State Medical University named after Academician E. A. Wagner and Perm National Research Polytechnic University have developed a computer program that helps determine a woman’s age through microscopic analysis of fallopian tube tissue.
The method is particularly valuable in cases where traditional identification techniques, such as DNA analysis or dental examination, cannot be used due to the age or severe damage of remains.
A “Map” of Age-Related Changes
The software is based on an extensive research project that produced a detailed “map” of age-related changes in the fallopian tubes. By studying hundreds of samples, researchers identified clear and predictable patterns in how this organ changes over time.
Unlike traditional anthropological methods, which can have an error margin of 15–20 years for adults, the new approach assigns a woman to one of five age ranges, such as 36–55 years. This significantly narrows the search among missing persons.
The digital assistant automates what is normally a complex analysis. A forensic expert enters precise tissue measurements obtained under a microscope into the system.
From Vague Estimates to Actionable Conclusions
As a result, instead of a vague estimate, investigators receive a concrete conclusion that is meaningful for an investigation, reducing the number of potential matches in databases by 30–40%.
The technology could open new possibilities in cases that previously appeared unsolvable. The developers say the program is ready to be deployed in forensic practice.
