INTERPOL HANDBOOK ON DNA DATA EXCHANGE AND PRACTICE
INTERPOL HANDBOOK ON DNA DATA EXCHANGE AND PRACTICE
INTERPOL HANDBOOK ON DNA DATA EXCHANGE AND PRACTICE
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Member CountriesMitochondrial <strong>DNA</strong>(mt<strong>DNA</strong>)MutationNon-autosomal<strong>INTERPOL</strong> has 188 countries that are a member of its organizationand work with and benefit from all that <strong>INTERPOL</strong> has to offer.Mitochondrial <strong>DNA</strong> is found in the mitochondria of the cell and isassociated with the energy production function of the cell. Its analysisis very different from that of the <strong>DNA</strong> found in the cell nucleus andmitochondrial <strong>DNA</strong> profiles are not compatible with the <strong>DNA</strong> profileson the N<strong>DNA</strong>D. Mitochondrial <strong>DNA</strong> profiles are less discriminatingthan STR profiles (SGM/SGM+) but are useful when STR profilescannot be obtained.A change in the characteristics of an organism arising from a change inthe genes of the organism 57 .An autosome is a chromosome that has no role in sex determination. Inhumans this is the 22 chromosomes that are not the sex chromosomes(X or Y). Regions of <strong>DNA</strong> that are not on autosomes are referredto as “non-autosomal”. This may be because they exist on the X or Ychromosomes, or, for example, on the mitochondrial <strong>DNA</strong> genome.Non-coding regionPhenotypesPhysical evidencePolymerase ChainReaction (PCR)PolymorphismsRandom MatchProbability (RMP)Non-coding <strong>DNA</strong> represents 99% of the human genome and containscertain differences in <strong>DNA</strong> sequence (polymorphisms) that areinherited, but do not influence an individual’s physical characteristicsand; therefore, provide no information of significance, for example aboutan individual’s predisposition to a particular medical condition 58 .The observable characteristics of an individual organism; theconsequence of the underlying genotype and its interaction with theenvironment 58 .Typically this describes physical matter that can hold evidentialsignificance. This can be matter such as paint, glass, fibres etc.A rapid, inexpensive and simple chemical reaction used to increasethe quantity of <strong>DNA</strong> evidence present. However, the presenceof contaminants and multiple samples will render this techniqueineffective.Variations in the genome at a given location. Originally applied to allelesproducing new phenotypes 57 .A statistical statement that indicates the significance or strength of thematch of two <strong>DNA</strong> profiles. The larger the number in the frequencyestimate, the rarer the profile and therefore the more significant theresults. The RMP does not indicate the probability of the suspect beingguilty and great care should be taken not to convey this impression.PAGE 106Glossary