The Use of Mitochondrial DNA Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms to Assist in the Resolution of Three Challenging Forensic Cases
Rebecca S. Just M.F.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorMark D. Leney Ph.D.
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command—Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester Ave. Bldg. 45, Hickam AFB, HI 96853.
Present address: Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Jamaica Plain, MA 02310.
Scientific Advisor, The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, 1005 Glebe Road, Suite 170, Arlington, VA 22201.
Search for more papers by this authorSuzanne M. Barritt M.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorChristopher W. Los M.S.F.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorBrion C. Smith D.D.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorThomas D. Holland Ph.D.
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command—Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester Ave. Bldg. 45, Hickam AFB, HI 96853.
Search for more papers by this authorThomas J. Parsons Ph.D.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
International Commission on Missing Persons, Alipasina 45 A, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia.
Search for more papers by this authorRebecca S. Just M.F.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorMark D. Leney Ph.D.
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command—Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester Ave. Bldg. 45, Hickam AFB, HI 96853.
Present address: Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Jamaica Plain, MA 02310.
Scientific Advisor, The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, 1005 Glebe Road, Suite 170, Arlington, VA 22201.
Search for more papers by this authorSuzanne M. Barritt M.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorChristopher W. Los M.S.F.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorBrion C. Smith D.D.S.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
Search for more papers by this authorThomas D. Holland Ph.D.
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command—Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester Ave. Bldg. 45, Hickam AFB, HI 96853.
Search for more papers by this authorThomas J. Parsons Ph.D.
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, AFIP Annex, 1413 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850.
International Commission on Missing Persons, Alipasina 45 A, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia.
Search for more papers by this authorPresent address: Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Jamaica Plain, MA 02310.
Scientific Advisor, The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, 1005 Glebe Road, Suite 170, Arlington, VA 22201.
Abstract
Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an 11-plex assay were typed in three missing person cases involving highly degraded human remains. Unlike the traditional forensic approach to analyzing mtDNA which focuses on sequencing portions of the noncoding Control Region, this assay targets discriminatory SNPs that reside principally in the coding region. In two of the cases, the SNP typing successfully excluded one of two reference families that could not be excluded on the basis of mtDNA hypervariable region sequencing alone, and resulted in the final resolution of both decades-old cases. In a third case, SNP typing confirmed the sorting and reassociation of multiple commingled skeletal elements. The application of a specific mtDNA SNP assay in these cases demonstrates its utility in distinguishing samples when the most common Caucasian hypervariable region type is encountered in forensic casework.
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