**7. Conclusions**

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

**4.4. Autosomal single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) typing**

**5. Impact of genetic identification on justice**

**•** Identification of suspects and confirmation of guilt;

**•** Establishing consanguinity in more complex cases;

**•** Discovering of persons who commit crimes, or serial killers;

**•** Identification of victims of terrorist attacks or natural catastrophes;

this method being used for the following:

**•** Exculpation of innocent parties;

**•** Researching biological filiation;

his brother Georgij Romanov [18].

92 Forensic Analysis - From Death to Justice

STR profiling [19].

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

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have a lower heterozygosis when compared to STRs. The advantage of SNP typing consists in the fact that the DNA template size can be as large as 50 bp, compared to the STRs which need the DNA template size of 300 bp, to obtain a good

Due to this, the SNPs became important tools in analyzing degraded samples. Thus in 2001, SNP typing was used in identifying the victims from the World Trade Center disaster [20, 21]. Related to the use of SNP analysis in degraded biological samples, the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) and the US FBI Scientific Working Group on DNA Methods (SWGDAM) are working on recommendations regarding the standardization of the SNPs [22].

At the present time. genetic testing using DNA has wide applicability to the field of justice,

**•** Establishing biological bloodline relations that serve in finding the historical truth (the Romanov case, the case of Louis XVII of France, the Nazi doctor Joseph Mengele)

Currently, the DNA genotyping of all types of biological traces or micro‐traces containing nucleated cells is possible if they are not entirely destroyed, either chemically or bacterial. The DNA analysis represents an important tool in solving caseworks in forensic medicine, such as establishing the custody of a child through paternity or maternity tests, identifying victims from disasters or crimes, exonerating innocent people convicted to prison.

Due to the recent advances in molecular genetics, other biomarkers have been proposed to be used in forensic body fluids identifications, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and DNA methylation.
