Monica Giuffrida

Monica Giuffrida is a PhD fellow at the Department of Forensic Genetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, where she conducts research on forensic age estimation using DNA methylation. She previously served as a Research Assistant in the same department (2024-2025) and holds an MSc in Forensic Science from Uppsala University and a BSc in Biology from the University of Catania.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Forensic Genetics (in progress), University of Copenhagen, 2025–present
• MSc in Forensic Science, Uppsala University, 2022–2024
• BSc in Biology, University of Catania, 2018–2021

Giuffrida's primary research focuses on developing methods for human age estimation in forensic contexts through the analysis of DNA methylation patterns at specific CpG sites. This work is critical for identifying unknown individuals in criminal investigations and mass disasters, as well as for determining the age of undocumented asylum seekers. Her research leverages epigenetics and next-generation sequencing technologies to improve the accuracy of age prediction models, particularly for low-template DNA samples. Additionally, her work supports forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) by aiding in the determination of generational relationships.

Her sole publication to date (2025) addresses mixture deconvolution in forensic genetics using massively parallel sequencing, comparing the utility of microhaplotypes and short tandem repeats. This work contributes to the fields of forensic genomics and human identification, highlighting the potential of advanced sequencing techniques for complex DNA mixture analysis.

Monica Giuffrida has not been awarded any scientific prizes or fellowships as per the available information.

There is no information available regarding Giuffrida's advising of students or grant funding.

She is affiliated with the Section of Forensic Genetics at the University of Copenhagen, which focuses on advancing forensic genetic methodologies for human identification and related applications.