- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 8 :: mtDNA & Y-STR
Topic 1 :: Introduction to mtDNA
Mitochondrial DNA (cont.)
mtDNA is located in a small cellular structure called a mitochondrion, which produces energy for the cell. There are hundreds to thousands of mitochondria per cell, and each mitochondrion contains 1-10 mtDNA molecules. The high copy number of mtDNA molecules is one reason why mtDNA is recoverable from hairs and old skeletal remains.
