What We Do
Mitotyping Technologies is very single-minded,
focusing exclusively on the analysis of mitochondrial
DNA (mtDNA) for forensic and anthropological
applications.
When forensic cases arise where there is insufficient
biological material for nuclear DNA typing,
mitochondrial DNA analysis
can provide valuable supplemental information,
even from such limited samples as 2mm long hair
fragments or single teeth. Because of its usefulness
when limited biological material is available,
and due to its unique pattern of maternal inheritance,
mtDNA is playing a significant role in investigation
and prosecution of active criminal cases, post-conviction
exoneration, re-examination of cold cases, genealogical
studies where maternal relatedness is in question,
and missing persons investigations.
Mitotyping Technologies has extensive
experience with the most difficult samples
often encountered in DNA testing, such as naturally
shed hairs with telogen roots, hair shafts,
and aged or burned skeletal material. We also
offer an "ancient DNA analysis" for
the most challenging samples where the
mtDNA is degraded. We process each
sample in our care individually
from the start to the conclusion of the analysis.
This gives us the opportunity to deal with the
specific handling requirements of each sample,
especially if it is degraded or minimal. We
will never batch your hairs, which provides
an extremely high level of protection
against cross-contamination and sample switching,
unlike other high-volume laboratories.
Because mitochondrial DNA analysis is our special
strength, we are focused on addressing current
issues in the field such as contamination, heteroplasmy,
and population genetics. We also
have extensive experience in the courtroom in
both admissibility hearings and trials.
We have been accredited by ASCLD/LAB since
2001, and are permitted by New York Department
of Health, Maryland: Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene, and Texas Forensic Science Commission,
to perform casework.
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