Advanced glycation endproducts for age-at-death estimation

Age-at-death estimation is one of the fundamental parameters in the forensic sciences to create a biological profile leading to the identification of deceased individuals (Zapico and Ubelaker 2013). Age can be estimated very accurately in childhood using anthropological methods. In contrast, in adulthood, estimation of age-atdeath is influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors, which make an accurate determination difficult (Zapico and Ubelaker 2013). For that reason, new methodologies for age-at-death estimation are being developed based on the natural process of aging, which leads to alterations of tissues and organs at different biochemical levels. One of these alterations can be seen in the study of Advanced Glycation endproducts. Although few studies were conducted with forensic purposes in mind, this chapter will give an overview of different works that correlate AGEs with aging, pointing out their application to forensic science research.