Mitochondrial DNA variation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Forensic data from a mixed West African sample, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and Rwanda

This study provides 398 novel complete mitochondrial control region sequences that augment the still under-represented data from Africa by three datasets: a mixed West African sample set deriving from 12 countries (n = 145) and datasets from Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) (n = 100) as well as Rwanda (n = 153). The analysis of mtDNA variation and genetic comparisons with published data revealed low random match probabilities in all three datasets and typical West African and East African diversity, respectively. Genetic parameters indicate that the presented mixed West African dataset may serve as first forensic mtDNA control region database for West Africa in general. In addition, a strategy for responsible forensic application of precious mtDNA population samples potentially containing close maternal relatives is outlined. The datasets will be uploaded to the forensic mtDNA database EMPOP (https://empop.online) upon publication