ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

A Silica-Based Mitochondrial DNA Extraction Method Applied to Forensic Hair Shafts and Teeth
Matteson, KJ
University of Tennessee Medical Center, TN

Baker, LE
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

McCormick, WF
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

(Received 10 August 1999; accepted 22 February 2000)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of a nonorganic DNA extraction method for use in the analysis of environmentally compromised forensic hair shaft and tooth samples. The condition of the samples included cases of water decomposition, severe incineration, and varying stages of putrefaction. Enzymatic amplification and manual sequencing of the first segment of the mitochondrial hypervariable region were performed successfully on each of the 20 autopsied individuals. The results indicate that the silica-based extraction method produces mtDNA suitable for genetic identification from forensic samples including hair shafts and teeth.

Keywords:
forensic science, mitochondrial DNA, DNA sequencing, hair shafts, teeth, DNA typing, polymerase chain reaction, environmental effects

Paper ID: JFS14923J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14923J
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