High-quality mtDNA control region sequences from 680 individuals sampled across the Netherlands to establish a national forensic mtDNA reference database. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chaitanya, Lakshmi; van Oven, Mannis; Brauer, Silke; Zimmermann, Bettina; Huber, Gabriela; Xavier, Catarina; Parson, Walther; de Knijff, Peter; Kayser, Manfred
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 21(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 158
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: mtDNA -- Control region -- EMPOP -- Forensic database -- Sequencing -- Haplogroups; Forensic genetics -- Periodicals; Génétique légale -- Périodiques; Forensic genetics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2015.12.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1872-4973

Abstract

Highlights: The use of human mtDNA can be crucial for solving forensic and missing person cases. Reference data are needed for statistical interpretation of mtDNA profile matches. Complete control region mtDNA data were produced by using the EMPOP protocol. Data from 680 individuals collected at 54 sites across the Netherlands were generated. Data are available via EMPOP and serve as (start of) a Dutch mtDNA reference database. Abstract: The use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for maternal lineage identification often marks the last resort when investigating forensic and missing-person cases involving highly degraded biological materials. As with all comparative DNA testing, a match between evidence and reference sample requires a statistical interpretation, for which high-quality mtDNA population frequency data are crucial. Here, we determined, under high quality standards, the complete mtDNA control-region sequences of 680 individuals from across the Netherlands sampled at 54 sites, covering the entire country with 10 geographic sub-regions. The complete mtDNA control region (nucleotide positions 16, 024–16, 569 and 1–576) was amplified with two PCR primers and sequenced with ten different sequencing primers using the EMPOP protocol. Haplotype diversity of the entire sample set was very high at 99.63% and, accordingly, the random-match probability was 0.37%. No population substructure within the Netherlands was detected with our dataset. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine mtDNA haplogroups. Inclusion of these high-quality data in the EMPOP database (accession number:EMP00666 ) will improve its overall data content and geographic coverage in the interest of all EMPOP users worldwide. Moreover, this dataset will serve as (the start of) a national reference database for mtDNA applications in forensic and missing person casework in the Netherlands.