Abstract:
Forensic specialists can be confronted with the task of identifying skeletal remains from mass graves. Genetic typing may provide a solution to this problem using nuclear and mitochondrial markers. The ability to establish the sex and relationship of such skeletal remains contributes important information to archaeological and anthropological analyses. In many instances related also to forensic questions, determination of sex and relationship of soil-stored skeletal remains is desirable.
I investigated the kinship relations among the ancient remains in tombs located in Kirchheim am Ries and in Niederstotzingen (Germany), dating from the Merovingian time. An interessant relationship was proved in the tombs examined. The analysis of STR markers and the examination of sequence polymorphisms in D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA are the most powerful tool to genetically distinguish among individuals and to determine familial relationships. The results obtained by molecular anthropology can aid in describing kinship relation and burial customs of ancient remains.