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DNA Fingerprinting: Advancements and Future Endeavors pp 241–255Cite as

Applications of the Mitochondrion in Forensic DNA Typing

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Abstract

Prior to the coronary stent implantation (CSI) era, a typical biology course would introduce the mitochondrion simply as the energy-producing organelle of the cell. Little, if any, discussion was provided about the mitochondrial genome and its participation in human molecular inheritance and evolutionary biology. Now that human identification, via DNA typing, is the driving force behind several forms of television entertainment, the traditional role of the mitochondrion has taken a backseat. In this chapter you will learn how and why mitochondria have been targeted by scientists for use in forensic analysis, human molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, human migration studies, and recovery operations in identifying deceased persons, both ancient and modern. You will also learn how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has provided forensic scientists with a valuable tool for determining the source of DNA recovered from damaged, degraded, or very small biological samples. This chapter explains how mtDNA analysis offers a unique maternal ancestral view of an individual’s molecular pin code, through examination of a very specific region of the mitochondrial genome. This chapter will also evaluate both the pros and the cons of mtDNA utility in forensic analysis. Though data have proven increased utility of mtDNA in both historical and modern cases, it is still discounted by many and considered an unreliable forensic tool. An ongoing source of controversy in mtDNA analysis is centered on both data acquisition and data analysis (i.e., how differences in mtDNA sequences are reported). Before the forensic community can approve a DNA typing or classification technique, extensive research on its accuracy, reliability, and discriminatory power must be validated.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BioResearch Molecular Devices, LLC, San Jose, CA, USA

    Ranyelle Reid

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  1. Ranyelle Reid
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DNA Fingerprinting Unit, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Hirak Ranjan Dash

  2. DNA Fingerprinting Unit, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Pankaj Shrivastava

  3. Department of Biology and DNA Fingerprinting Unit, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Braja Kishore Mohapatra

  4. Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India

    Surajit Das

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Reid, R. (2018). Applications of the Mitochondrion in Forensic DNA Typing. In: Dash, H., Shrivastava, P., Mohapatra, B., Das, S. (eds) DNA Fingerprinting: Advancements and Future Endeavors. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1583-1_14

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