Mitochondrial DNA analysis of 114 hairs measuring less than 1 cm from a 19-year-old homicide

Mitochondrial DNA analysis is typically applied to degraded skeletal remains and telogen or rootless hairs. Data on the application of the method to very small hairs less than 0.5 cm from an age-matched and -challenged sample set are lacking.

One hundred fourteen hairs sized less than 1 cm from a 1993 case were analyzed for mitochondrial DNA according to laboratory standard operating procedures. For some hairs, a screening approach was applied, which permitted some samples, such as victim hairs on victim clothing, to be eliminated from the process quickly. Degraded samples were amplified with "mini-primers," and 12S species testing was applied when non-human hairs were encountered.

Partial to full control region human mitochondrial DNA profiles or species identifications (non-human species) were obtained from 93% of hairs under 1 cm, 92% of hairs under 5 mm, and 90% of hairs under 3.5 mm. Nineteen of 21 hairs 2 mm or less gave full or partial profiles. Among 128 hairs of all sizes tested in the case, 9 gave no results, 3 were canine in origin, and 73 did not exclude six known individuals tested in the case. Twenty-two hairs had nine additional profiles that were observed two or more times each. Twenty-one hairs showed singleton types not matching each other or any individual.

Crime scene hairs that are both aged and small are often judged to be unsuitable for either hair microscopy or DNA analysis. This study of age-matched challenged small hairs indicates that even the smallest probative crime scene hairs are suitable for mitochondrial DNA analysis and can provide useful data.