What type of DNA testing can be done on bones?

Mitochondrial DNA testing is specifically useful for analyzing bones, especially in forensic contexts where the sample may be degraded or fragmented. This type of DNA testing examines the mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited maternally and can be extracted from bones even when nuclear DNA is not available or is too damaged for analysis.

Bones can be particularly challenging for DNA analysis because they can lack sufficient nuclear DNA due to environmental exposure, leading to degradation. Mitochondrial DNA, however, is more abundant in cells than nuclear DNA and tends to be more resilient, making it a reliable option for testing in cases involving skeletal remains.

While other techniques, like PCR, are relevant for amplifying DNA from small samples, they might not be as effective in cases where only degraded mitochondrial DNA is present. STR (Short Tandem Repeat) testing may also be limited in efficacy when working with aged or compromised biological material found in bone. RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) testing is another traditional method but requires relatively intact nuclear DNA, which may not be available in bone samples. Thus, mitochondrial DNA testing stands out as the most suitable technique for analyzing bones in forensic investigations.