Floor Anna Josephine Claessens

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Current research

• Population and Forensic genetic applications of mtDNA

Research description

The use of mtDNA in forensic genetics has proven to be an important tool in the analysis of trace samples where nuclear DNA is often degraded and/or present in low amounts. However, the interpretation and reporting of mtDNA still faces challenges, particularly regarding inclusion/exclusion scenarios in inclusive cases, and concerning reporting heteroplasmy. With the emergence of massively parallel sequencing, the threshold for detecting and reporting mtDNA heteroplasmy are changing and becoming more sensitive. More data are needed to evaluate and determine new standards for forensic casework. Furthermore, the somatic mutation rates in different human tissues must be explored to improve the interpretation of forensic evidence.