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Use of Mitochondrial DNA in Forensic Odontology: A Review

Diksha Singh , *Diksha Singh , **Bastian T.S , ***Anil Singh , ****Rohit Jaiswal

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Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology 1(2):p 35-40, October-December 2008. | DOI:

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Abstract

The advent of DNA typing has revolutionized law enforcement. The identification of dead bodies in mass casualties has been a Herculean task since time immemorial. Fatal crash of civil or military airliners generally leaves numerous unidentified bodies. Despite the fact that the inner of the teeth is relatively protected against external influence, the DNA of the pulpal tissue can be harmed so much that the DNA analysis are made impossible. Studies have shown that the dentine is a good source of mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA) and mitochondrial DNA presents several advantages compared to nuclear DNA (nu DNA),when teeth are used for identification purposes There are indications of presence of heteroplasmy in mitochondrial DNA. This may have an impact on the interpretation of the analysis of results. This paper is aimed to review the applications of Mitochondrial DNA in Forensic Odontology.


Background
All organisms are either multi-cellular or unicellular. A single eukaryotic (protista, fungus, plant, animal) cell is comprised of multiple membrane-bound organelles. The nucleus is an organelle in eukaryotes which houses the primary genetic material (DNA) and mitochondria are organelles which are responsible for cellular respiration (ATP production). Mitochondria have a double membrane, cristae (folds), a matrix, and their own DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) codes for proteins and enzymes used by the mitochondria. Nuclear DNA also codes for enzymes used in the mitochondria.

Key words Mitochondrial DNA, Nuclear DNA, Forensic 

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