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A Rape Case Solved by Mitochondrial DNA Mixture Analysis
Author(s) -
Hatsch Didier,
Amory Sylvain,
Keyser Christine,
Hienne Rémi,
Bertrand Ludes
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00473.x
Subject(s) - mitochondrial dna , biology , cloning (programming) , amplicon , hypervariable region , clone (java method) , haplotype , genetics , dna , lysis , suspect , microbiology and biotechnology , polymerase chain reaction , gene , genotype , criminology , sociology , computer science , programming language
In cases of stains that contain mixed DNA from different contributors, analyzing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) requires the use of cloning techniques. We developed an efficient cloning technique that was applied in a rape case. After a differential lysis‐based DNA extraction from vaginal swabs, hypervariable region I and II (HVI, HVII) amplicons obtained from the male fraction were cloned. Although we mainly found the victim’s haplotype, we were able to detect the suspect's haplotype in two clones for HVI and in one clone for HVII. As the midpiece of the flagellum, which contains mitochondria, can be lost during the differential lysis, we also investigated the female fraction by cloning to evaluate the proportion of victim/suspect mtDNA. Unfortunately, only clones presenting the victim's haplotype were found. This case highlights the need for an optimal differential lysis protocol to enrich the male fraction not only with nuclear but also mitochondrial DNA