Efficiency of forensic mtDNA analysis - Case examples demonstrating the identification of traces

The paper presents results of forensic mitochondrial DNA analyses which wer e aimed at typing the traces caused by touching or abrasion of skin cells. Five cases of strangulation tool investigation are summarised. Two cases of homicide could be cleared up by identifying the mtDNA of both the victim a nd the suspect on cables which had obviously been used as strangulation too ls. In eight of 10 cases, weapons could be reliably assigned to their users . The mtDNA of the users could be even detected on cartridges after firing. In one case, evidence of a suicide could be provided by means of mtDNA seq uencing of the wiping traces on a suicide note. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd. All rights reserved.