Research and analysis

DNA methylation report and research template

Interim report on the scientific feasibility of using DNA methylation for age assessment of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, with accompanying research template.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 21 January 2026

Documents

DNA methylation report

PDF, 530 KB, 20 pages

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DNA methylation research template

PDF, 117 KB, 4 pages

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Details

This is the Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee (AESAC) interim report on the scientific feasibility of using DNA methylation for age assessment of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, with accompanying research template.

The report was commissioned by the Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser in response to recommendation 14 in the biological evaluation methods to assist in assessing the age of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. 

This recommendation is that a watching brief should be maintained over the development of emerging age estimation methods including, but not restricted to, facial images and DNA methylation.

The interim report outlines:

• how DNA methylation works as a method of scientific age estimation
• the limitations of DNA methylation’s current evidence base, particularly around estimating the age of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
• the need for further study to assess if DNA methylation is an effective method of scientific age assessment for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

In response to the need for further study to assess if DNA methylation is a viable method of scientific age estimation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, AESAC have produced an accompanying research template.

The research template details:

• considerations and requirements that need to be met for an ethical study into the efficacy of DNA methylation as a feasible scientific age assessment method for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
• the need for DNA sample collection from appropriate sites, using appropriate sample collection methods
• the need for the impacts of stress and trauma to be acknowledged and incorporated as far as possible into a study assessing if DNA methylation is an appropriate age assessment method for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

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Published 21 January 2026