Developmental validation for Sanger sequencing of HV1 and HV2 in mitochondrial DNA

The method of Sanger sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for forensic purposes has been validated previously. However, to our knowledge, there are few validation reports of Sanger sequencing of mtDNA that satisfy the latest SWGDAM Validation Guidelines for DNA Analysis Methods. Recently, we developed a new method that utilizes different chemistry, devices and protocols from those used in our current method of Sanger sequencing of mtDNA. In this study, our new protocol was developmentally validated according to the SWGDAM validation guidelines. This validated method can be used to obtain mtDNA sequences of forensic samples such as hair and bone.