U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Maximizing mtDNA Testing Potential With the Generation of High-Quality mtGenome Reference Data
NCJ Number
              253077

Author(s)
          Rebecca S. Just;
                        Walther  Parson;
                        Jodi A. Irwin
Date Published

July 2017
Length
              205 pages
Annotation
              This is the Final Technical Report on the findings and methodology of a project that addressed the lack of appropriate reference data and database tools required for the routine application of forensic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in criminal investigations
Abstract
              The objectives of the project were 1) to increase the large-scale availability of high-quality entire mitochondrial genome (mtGenome) reference population data and 2) to improve the information technology infrastructure required to access/search mtGnome data and use them in forensic casework. The first objective was addressed by developing a Sanger-based sequencing strategy that was performed in high-throughput fashion on robotic instrumentation. Using this strategy and an intensive, multi-step data review process, the project produced 588 full mitochondrial genome haplotypes from anonymized, randomly sampled blood serum specimens from three U.S. population groups (African-Americans, U.S. Caucasians, and U.S. Hispanics). Nearly complete resolution of the haplotypes was achieved with full mtGenome sequences for the three populations. Comparisons to published control region datasets showed that the databases developed are as representative as the reference data on which haplotype frequency estimates currently rely. The second objective was achieved by modifying the existing structure of the European DNA Profiling Group mtDNA Population database (EMPOP), in order to both store and query full mtGenome reference data. In addition, improvement was made in the utility of the database for forensic applications by the addition of a number of new features. These included software that performs automated mtDNA haplogroup estimations for both full and partial mtGenome sequences, updated population structure schemes for all mtDNA data currently housed in the database, and various tools that permit both searches and visualization of the geographic distribution of mtDNA, haplogroups, sequences, and individual sequence variants. Extensive appended data compiled in the study
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2011-MU-MU-K402


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Maximizing DNA Testing Potential with the Generation of High-Quality Genome Reference Data
    
  
  
Date Published: July 1, 2017
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Databases
        DNA typing
        Forensic sciences
        Justice system
        National Institute of Justice (NIJ)



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Experimental Results on Data Analysis Algorithms for Extracting and Interpreting Edge Feature Data for Duct Tape and Textile Physical Fit Examinations
                  The History of a Monumental Forensic Tool and the Ethical Debate Sparked by Wrongful Convictions Based on Trace DNA Evidence
                  White Paper – Information Sharing Between Medicolegal Death Investigation Offices And Organ And Tissue Recovery Organizations
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov