A mito-y conundrum: is more general or less but specific sequence data optimal? A comparison of the ForenSeq mtDNA whole genome and control region kits

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ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more prevalent than genomic DNA, making it useful for challenging forensic samples such as degraded bones and hair shafts. A comparison of the ForenSeq whole genome and control region mtDNA kits was undertaken on bones burnt to high temperatures and hair shafts covering a range of hair colours and treatments. Haplogroup predictions were made from the same haplogroup branch per donor for one bone burnt ≥ 700°C and all hair segments. Overall, the whole genome mtDNA kit was both more successful and produced more discriminatory haplogroup predictions than the control region kit.

KEYWORDS:

• Mitochondrial DNA
• hair shafts
• burnt bones

Acknowledgments

Thank you to QIAGEN for their assistance throughout this trial and to Jasmin Zoranjic and Ryan Fisher for their assistance in preparing the donor bones.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).