Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Haplotype
Definition
A characteristic sequence of the mitochondrial genome used to assign an individual to a maternal lineage. More copies per cell than nuclear DNA, so it survives degradation better. Useful for victim identification from insects when nuclear STR yield is too low.
Related terms
- Blood Meal
- Blood ingested by a haematophagous insect during feeding on a vertebrate host. The host's DNA persists in the insect's gut for hours...
- COI Barcoding
- DNA-based species identification using a standard 658 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Sequences are matched against reference...
- Gut Content Extraction
- Physical dissection of a larva to remove the crop and midgut contents, which are then extracted separately from the larval carcass. The...
- Haematophagous Insect
- An insect that feeds on the blood of a vertebrate host. Examples include mosquitoes (Culicidae), sand flies (Phlebotomus, Lutzomyia), and certain midges...
- Mixed-Source Profile
- A DNA profile resulting from a mixture of two or more contributors. Gut content extractions routinely produce mixtures of insect DNA and...
Explained in
- Insects as Alternate Samples for Toxicology and DNAA characteristic sequence of the mitochondrial genome used to assign an individual to a maternal lineage. More copies per cell than nuclear DNA, so it survives...