Which characteristic makes mitochondrial DNA valuable in forensic investigations?

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is particularly valuable in forensic investigations because it is inherited strictly from the maternal lineage. This means that individuals can share mtDNA with their maternal relatives, which can be particularly useful in cases where nuclear DNA may not be present or is too degraded to analyze effectively. The maternal inheritance of mtDNA allows forensic scientists to explore familial relationships and potentially identify victims or suspects through maternal connections, even when traditional nuclear DNA profiling is not possible.

Additionally, mtDNA is present in many copies per cell compared to nuclear DNA, which can enhance the ability to obtain genetic material from degraded samples. This characteristic is especially important in forensic settings, where samples may be old or damaged. The reliance on maternal inheritance helps narrow down potential relatives in mixed or shared samples, which can be critical in solving cases.