ROLE OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA ANALYSES IN PROVENANCING UNKNOWN HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS: PROBABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
Keywords:
Mitrochondrial DNA, DNA profiling, unknown identificationAbstract
Ancient degraded remains of human origin can be
identified using ancient DNA analyses. The mitochondrial
DNA is a useful tool to solve unsolved cases in relation to
identification of an individual where nuclear DNA is too
degraded or insufficient to be used for the purpose.
Comparative analysis of mtDNA content in petrous bone
and the tooth-root cementum have revealed that later is
best substrate for studying genomic analyses of ancient
human populations The dental DNA is less prone to
contamination, and the preservation of ancient DNA from
dental samples is easier than bones. The selection of
correct decontamination method, appropriate extraction
protocol provides best results and thus increases value of
bones and teeth as a forensic evidence in cases where
identity establishment is problematic. In this review
article, the current status of the methods used in ancient
DNA research, the advantages and the limitations of this
archaeogenetical method have been presented.
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