- 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
Maternal Inheritance Pattern
One unique characteristic of mtDNA is that it is passed from a mother to her children. A man's mtDNA is inherited from his mother, but he does not pass it on to his children. This maternal inheritance pattern has two important implications in forensic testing.
Click here to view an animation demonstrating how mitochondrial DNA is inherited.
