title: Efficiency of forensic mtDNA analysis. Case examples demonstrating the identification of traces.
abstract: The paper presents results of forensic mitochondrial DNA analyses which were aimed at typing the traces caused by touching or abrasion of skin cells. Five cases of strangulation tool investigation are summarised. Two cases of homicide could be cleared up by identifying the mtDNA of both the victim and the suspect on cables which had obviously been used as strangulation tools. In eight of 10 cases, weapons could be reliably assigned to their users. The mtDNA of the users could be even detected on cartridges after firing. In one case, evidence of a suicide could be provided by means of mtDNA sequencing of the wiping traces on a suicide note.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany. reinhard.szibor@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szibor
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Plate
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krause
mesh_terms: D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005389:Firearms; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial