**4.3. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)**

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited on the maternal line; thus, all the members of a matrilineal share the same haplotype. Its advantage relies on the fact that it has a number of 200–1700 copies per cell and has an increased probability of survival compared to the nuclear DNA. Therefore, the forensic applications for mtDNA include analysis of biological samples that are old or severely degraded, and analysis of biological samples which contain a low amount of DNA (e.g., hair shafts). MtDNA has been used to identify the Tsar Nicholas II and his brother Georgij Romanov [18].
