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The aim of this work is to present the results of DNA identification of a 10th century female skeleton from the Prague Castle that appears to belong to a member of the ruling Przemyslids Dynasty. The skeleton was buried next to the skeletal remains that can be assigned to Boleslav I (†972) or Boleslav II (†999). DNA analysis yielded partial autosomal (MiniFiler, Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) and X-STR profiles (Argus X-12, Qiagen, Germany) and a mtDNA haplotype (HVR1 16018-16569, HVR2 001-576). DNA typing data did not match any results obtained from the Prague Castle burials. Therefore, we performed a comparison of the mtDNA haplotype with publicly available databases, as well as with mtDNA haplotypes of other European dynasties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A collaborative exercise with several institutes was organized by the Forensic DNA Service (FDNAS) and the Institute of the Legal Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, with the aim to test performance of different laboratories carrying out DNA analysis of relatively old bone samples. Methods Eighteen laboratories participating in the collaborative exercise were asked to perform DNA typing of two samples of bone powder. Two bone samples provided by the National Museum and the Institute of Archaelogy in Prague, Czech Republic, came from archeological excavations and were estimated to be approximately 150 and 400 years old. The methods of genetic characterization including autosomal, gonosomal, and mitochondrial markers was selected solely at the discretion of the participating laboratory. Results Although the participating laboratories used different extraction and amplification strategies, concordant results were obtained from the relatively intact 150 years old bone sample. Typing was more problematic with the analysis of the 400 years old bone sample due to poorer quality. Conclusion The laboratories performing identification DNA analysis of bone and teeth samples should regularly test their ability to correctly perform DNA-based identification on bone samples containing degraded DNA and potential inhibitors and demonstrate that risk of contamination is minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]