Preparation of degraded human DNA under controlled conditions

Abstract DNA typing through analysis of short tandem repeats (STRs) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing are the common methods for the forensic identification of persons and reconstruction of kinship, especially when skeletal human remains have to be analyzed. Furthermore, samples typically found at crime scenes may be both quantitatively and qualitatively inadequate since they may contain very scarce and often degraded DNA due to exposure to heat, light, humidity, and microorganisms. In order to improve the performance of STR typing technology in those cases where DNA availability is limited, it would be desirable to have a source of…