mtDNA as a tool for identification of human remains. Identification using mtDNA

Two cases are presented in order to emphasize the importance of mitochondrial DNA in forensic medicine. The first case involved a charred body which could not be identified by morphological means because of severe destruction of all tissues. The parallel use of PCR methods using genomic DNA and sequ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of legal medicine 1996, Vol.109 (4), p.205-209
Main Authors: Lutz, S, Weisser, H J, Heizmann, J, Pollak, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Base Sequence - genetics
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
Female
Forensic Medicine
Homicide - legislation & jurisprudence
Humans
Male
Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Postmortem Changes
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Summary:Two cases are presented in order to emphasize the importance of mitochondrial DNA in forensic medicine. The first case involved a charred body which could not be identified by morphological means because of severe destruction of all tissues. The parallel use of PCR methods using genomic DNA and sequencing of the mitochondrial d-loop region produced unequivocal and reproducible results. In the second case, various parts of a highly decomposed body were investigated. The application of standard PCR methods for genomic DNA proved unsuitable to answer the question whether the body parts belonged to the same body. However, when sequencing of mitochondrial DNA segments amplified from tissue and bone samples was performed, clearly interpretable results were obtained.
ISSN:0937-9827
1437-1596
DOI:10.1007/BF01225519