ABSTRACT

Genetic information discovered, characterized for and used in forensic case-works and anthropology has shown to be also highly useful and relevant in investigating human remains from archaeological findings. By technical means, forensic and aDNA (ancient Deoxyribonucleic acid) analyses are well suited to be done using the same laboratory infrastructures and scientific expertise referring to sampling, sample protection, sample processing, contamination control as well as requiring analogous technical know how and knowledge on reading and interpreting DNA encoded information. Forensic genetics has significantly profited from aDNA-related developments (and vice versa, of course!), especially, when it comes to the identification of unknown human remains referring to the detection limit. Additionally the tremendous developments of analyzing chemistry and kits as well as instruments in forensics opened the whole panel of reading human and nonhuman DNA for historians and archaeologists but also for anthropologists. Ancient DNA / molecular archaeology, however, is not limited to the comparatively restrictive set of information as usually employed in forensic case work analyses but can also be applied to phenotypical markers, ethno-related genotypes or pathological features.

In this review the authors give a general overview on the field of ancient DNA analysis focussing of the potentials and limits, fields of application, requirements for samples, laboratory setup, reaction design and equipment as well as a brief outlook on current developments, future perspectives and potential cross links with associated scientific disciplines.