Statistical weight of a "matching" mtDNA sequence. (Dr. Laurence Mueller, University of California, Irvine)

MtDNA has a much higher mutation rate than nuclear DNA; mutations and heteroplasmy are relatively common occurrences. This means that the evidential and reference samples may legitimately contain differences even when the two are in reality from the same individual or lineage. If two samples do not match, yet are purported to have the same origin, the strength of the evidence is reduced, but how best to report such an example?

Materials

Melton T, Clifford S, Kayser M, Nasidze I, Batzer M, Stoneking M. Diversity and heterogeneity in mitochondrial DNA of North American populations. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2001; 46(1):46–52.

Roff DA, Bentzen P. The statistical analysis of mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms: x2 and the problem of small samples. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 1989; 6(5):539-545.

Tully G, Bar W, Brinkmann B, Carracedo A, Gill P, Morling N, Parson W, Schneider P. Considerations by the European DNA profiling (EDNAP) group on the working practices, nomenclature and interpretation of mitochondrial DNA profiles. Forensic Science International. 2001; 124:83-91.

Last modified: 03/12/10