This workshop addresses advanced aspects of mitochondrial (mt)DNA analysis in the era of Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS). It is designed for participants who already possess a solid foundation in mtDNA analysis. For those new to the field, we recommend completing the freely available introductory e-learning videos, which provide essential background on the basic concepts and key principles of mtDNA analysis.

The workshop will cover:

• Interpretation of raw MPS sequencing data
• Distinguishing artifacts from genuine mtDNA features (e.g., heteroplasmy, damage patterns, NUMTs)
• Efficient use of the EMPOP database, including the latest release and its functionalities (statistical evaluation, alignment, haplogroup assignment)
• Applying mitoFREQ as an alternative resource for the statistical evaluation of mitogenome matches
• Discussion of challenging casework and human identification examples

This workshop combines practical data interpretation, hands-on use of bioinformatics resources, and real-world forensic applications, offering participants a comprehensive and practice-oriented learning experience.