Mitochondrial DNA in human identification: a review

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) presents several characteristics useful for forensic studies, especially related to the lack of recombination, to a high copy number, and to matrilineal inheritance. mtDNA typing based on sequences of the control region or full genomic sequences analysis is used to analyze a variety of forensic samples such as old bones, teeth and hair, as well as other biological samples where the DNA content is low. Evaluation and reporting of the results requires careful consideration of biological issues as well as other issues such as nomenclature and reference population data bases. In this work we review mitochondrial DNA profiling methods used for human identification and present their use in the main cases of human identification focusing on the most relevant issues for forensics.