Age estimation via quantification of signal-joint T cell receptor excision circles in Koreans

The estimation of age from biological samples (i.e., remains) at crime scenes could provide useful information about both victims and other persons related to criminal activities. Signal-joint T cell receptor excision circle (sjTREC) levels in peripheral blood decline with age, and negative correlations between sjTREC levels and age have been demonstrated in several ethnic groups. To validate the utility of sjTREC for age estimation in Koreans, Taqman qPCR was used to quantify the sjTREC level in samples obtained from 172 individuals ranging from 16 to 65 years old. We modified the previously reported method by using a shorter amplicon and confirmed the efficiency and utility of this method in this report. Our results showed that the linear negative regression curve between sjTREC levels and age was characterized by r = −0.807 and a standard error of 8.49 years. These results indicate that sjTREC level is an effective age estimation method in Koreans. The value of the standard error of quantification was not different from previous reports for other population groups.