Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing of Shed Hairs and Saliva on Robbery Caps: Sensitivity and Matching Probabilities

• NCJ Number: 175287
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 43 Issue: 3 Dated: May 1998 Pages: 453-464
• Author(s): M Allen; A-S Engstrom; S Meyers; O Handt; T Saldeen; A von Haeseler; S Paabo; U Gyllensten
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes an analytic method based on the sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to analyze shed hairs, saliva stains, nail scrapes, and small bloodstains from a series of robberies that occurred in Sweden in 1990 and 1991.

Abstract

The method involved an amplification system for the mtDNA control region (D-loop) suited for the analysis of shed hair, which represents the most common biological evidence material in forensic investigations. The analysis produced a success rate of more than 90 percent for evidence materials such as shed hair, saliva stains, and saliva on stamps. The analysis of evidence materials collected from three similar robberies revealed the presence of mtDNA sequences identical to those of the suspects in the three crimes. The probability of identity by chance for the mtDNA types of the suspects varied, depending on the reference population used. This finding indicated the need for large population databases to obtain the appropriate estimate. Tables, figure, and 47 references (Author abstract modified)