- 01 Introduction
- 02 Biology of DNA
- 03 Practical Issues Specific to DNA Evidence
- 04 Introduction to the Forensic DNA Laboratory
- 05 Assuring Quality in DNA Testing
- 06 Understanding a Forensic DNA Lab Report
- 07 Statistics and Population Genetics
- 08 Mitochondrial DNA & Y-STR Analysis
- 09 Forensic DNA Databases
- 10 Collection of DNA Evidence from Suspects and Arrestees
- 11 Pretrial DNA Evidence Issues
- 12 Victim Issues
- 13 Trial Presentation
- 14 Postconviction DNA Cases
- 15 Emerging Trends
Principles of Forensic DNA
for Officers of the Court
for Officers of the Court
Module 8 :: mtDNA & Y-STR
Topic 3 :: mtDNA Considerations
Population Statistics
Dozens of scientific papers published since 1981 describe worldwide mtDNA variation. In most continental, national, or regional databases, it is characteristic to observe many rare types with frequencies well below 1% and a few common types with frequencies exceeding 1%. For example, one type is present in about 4% of North Americans. A few other common types have frequencies of less than 3%.
Exceptions to this overall high diversity are Native Americans, African Pygmies, and other groups that tend to be anthropologically interesting because of their geographic isolation. Most have had small population sizes in recent history that limited or reduced their genetic diversity, including their mtDNA variation.
Online Link - Click here to open the ‘MITOMAP’ human mitochondrial genome database website.
