POPULATION-DATA FOR 101 AUSTRIAN CAUCASIAN MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA D-LOOP SEQUENCES - APPLICATION OF MTDNA SEQUENCE-ANALYSIS TO A FORENSIC CASE

The sequence of the two hypervariable segments of the mitochondrial DN A (mtDNA) control region was generated for 101 random Austrian Caucasi ans. A total of 86 different mtDNA sequences was observed, where 11 se quences were shared by more than 1 individual. 7 sequences were shared by 2 individuals and 4 sequences were shared by 3 individuals. One of the four most common mtDNA sequences in Austrians is also the most co mmon sequence in both U.S. and British Caucasians, found in approximat ely 3.0% of Austrians, 4.0% of British, and 3.9% of U.S. Caucasians. O f the remaining three common Austrian sequences, one was not observed in either U.S. or British Caucasians. However, three British Caucasian s exhibited a similar sequence type. Therefore, this particular cluste r of sequence polymorphisms may represent a common ''European'' mtDNA sequence type. In general, Austrian Caucasians show little deviation f rom other Caucasian databases of European descent. Finally, mtDNA sequ ence analysis was applied to a forensic case, where hairs found at a c rime scene matched the control hairs from the suspect.