Mitochondrial DNA in the central european population Human identification with the help of the forensic mt-DNA D-Loop-Base Database

Sequencing of mtDNA is an advanced method Tot the individualisation of trac es. Disadvantages of this method are expensive and time-consuming analysis and evaluation procedures as well as the necessary stock of population-gene tic data which is still insufficient. Central European institutes of forens ic medicine from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have been working togeth er since the beginning of 1998 to establish a mtDNA database. The aim is to build up a large stock of forensically established data and provide popula tion-genetic data for frequency investigations, which will serve as a basis for expert opinions and scientific research. Good data quality is ensured by using original sequences only. Ring tests, which have been conducted to enhance analytical reliability, revealed a high correspondence rate of the analytical results obtained by the individual member institutes. Today 1410 sequences are available for comparison, of which 1285 sequences in the HV1 and HV3 regions cover the full ranges from 16 051 to 16 365 and horn 73 to 340 (according to Anderson). The major part is formed by Central European sequences comprising 1256 data sets from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Today the database contains sequences from a total of 12 European, six Afr ican and three Asian countries including 100 sequences from Japan. This pap er is aimed at discussing the individualisation potentials of mtDNA as well as the possibilities and limits of ethnic differentiation by means of pair wise sequence differences on the basis of the data stool, available. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.