- 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 3 :: mtDNA Considerations
Contamination
The prevention and detection of laboratory contamination, specifically the introduction of exogenous mtDNA into the testing process, is given special attention in mtDNA testing because of the natural abundance (high copy number) of mtDNA. Prevention methods include—
- Separation of pre- and post-PCR processing.
- Dedicated reagents for extraction and PCR.
- Ultraviolet light and bleach to destroy DNA on surfaces.
- Lab coats, gloves, face masks, and other disposables.
The most important detection tools are negative controls that accompany all samples through testing and should remain free of mtDNA.
