Recent Advances in Forensic DNA Phenotyping of Appearance, Ancestry, and Age

Recent advances in forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) have improved the prediction of appearance, ancestry, and age from DNA samples. These advancements include enhanced prediction models for traits like eye, hair, and skin color, as well as more complex traits such as male pattern baldness and body height. The use of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology has increased the capacity for analyzing numerous DNA predictors simultaneously. Despite these improvements, challenges such as small sample sizes and the need for further forensic validation persist. The VISAGE Consortium is working to address these issues by developing comprehensive FDP tools. While progress has been made, further research is necessary to achieve higher accuracy and detail in predictions.