# Mitochondrial Control Region Database of Hungarian Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Populations for Forensic Use

## TL;DR

This study creates a mitochondrial DNA database for Hungarian fallow deer to help in forensic investigations, but finds limited genetic diversity and limited ability to determine population origin.

## Contribution

The study provides a forensic mitochondrial DNA haplotype database for Hungarian fallow deer and identifies a new haplotype.

## Key findings

- Four haplotypes were identified, including one previously undescribed.
- Low mtDNA diversity was observed (Hd = 0.565 and π = 0.002), similar to other countries.
- A differentiation pattern among regions was detected, which may be useful in forensic contexts.

## Abstract

Hungary is world-famous for its fallow deer (Dama dama) population and hunting, with approximately 60% of the best trophies originating from this country. Unfortunately, the species also falls victim to poaching. Several studies have already assessed the genetic relationship between fallow deer in certain areas of Europe. The identification of biological materials through mitochondrial DNA analysis has become increasingly important in forensic cases, as it can provide associative evidence connecting victims and suspects. In this study, we determined the extent to which fallow deer mitochondrial control region haplotypes occurring in a given country can be used in legal cases for the preliminary selection of evidence or to link the incriminated animals and the degraded biological remains to the given area. Additionally, we determined which segment of the control region, with its adequate length, should be examined in the case of a genetically narrowed population.

The evidential value of an mtDNA match between biological remains and their potential donor is determined by the random match probability of the haplotype. This probability is based on the haplotype’s population frequency estimate. Consequently, implementing a population study representative of the population relevant to a forensic case is vital to correctly evaluating the evidence. The emerging number of poaching cases and the limited availability of such data emphasizes the need for an improved fallow deer mtDNA population databank for forensic purposes, including targeting the entire mitochondrial control region. By sequencing a 945-base-pair-long segment of the mitochondrial control region in 138 animals from five populations in Hungary, we found four different haplotypes, including one which had not yet been described. Our results, supplemented with data already available from previous research, do not support the possibility of determining the population of origin, although some patterns of geographical separation can be distinguished. Estimates of molecular diversity indicate similarly low mtDNA diversity (Hd = 0.565 and π = 0.002) compared to data from other countries. The calculated random match probability of 0.547 shows a high probability of coincidence and, therefore, a limited capacity for exclusion. Our results indicate that despite the overall low genetic diversity of mtDNA within the Hungarian fallow deer samples, a pattern of differentiation among the regions is present, which can have relevance from a forensic point of view.