Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023:2685:331-349.
doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3295-6_20.

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

Ashley M Cooley  1
Affiliations

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

Ashley M Cooley. Methods Mol Biol. 2023.

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a 16,569 base pair (bp) circular genome that is passed from generation to generation through the maternal line. mtDNA analysis in the context of the forensic science field usually involves unidentified human remains or missing persons. These cases tend to have more challenging sample types (e.g., rootless hairs, bone, blood, and saliva), and mtDNA analysis can be an additional method to assist in identification efforts. Due to the multifaceted protection of mtDNA within cells, mtDNA is able to be extracted even in cases of extreme degradation. mtDNA analysis for forensic science has been both peer-reviewed in academic journals and has been testified to in criminal court procedures since the late 1990s, allowing for consistent and reliable usage in casework. This chapter describes the general methodology of extracting, amplifying, quantifying, and analyzing an mtDNA sequence for use in forensic casework, specifically for these common items of evidence.

Keywords: Bone analysis; DNA sequencing; DNA typing; Forensic DNA analysis; Forensic science; Hair analysis; Mitochondrial DNA.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Butler JM (2005) Mitochondrial DNA analysis. In: Forensic DNA typing: biology, technology, and genetics of STR markers, 2nd edn. Elsevier, Burlington
    1. Budowle B, Allard MW, Wilson MR et al (2003) Forensic and mitochondrial DNA: applications, debates, and foundations. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 4:119–141 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Carracedo A, Bär W, Lincoln P et al (2000) DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics: guidelines for mitochondrial DNA typing. Forensic Sci Int 110:79–85 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Linch CA, Whiting DA, Holland MM (2001) Human hair histogenesis for the mitochondrial DNA forensic scientist. J Forensic Sci 46:844–853 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wilson MR, Polanskey D, Butler J et al (1995) Extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA from human hair shafts. BioTechniques 18:662–669 - PubMed

Substances

LinkOut - more resources