Which technique is more likely to succeed in identifying aged biological remains?

In the context of identifying aged biological remains, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) profiling is particularly effective. MtDNA is more abundant in cells than nuclear DNA, which means that even when biological samples are degraded or present in low quantities, mtDNA analysis often yields usable genetic material. This makes it a preferred choice for analyzing older remains, as the likelihood of retrieving intact mtDNA is significantly higher compared to nuclear DNA, which is more susceptible to degradation over time.

Additionally, mtDNA is maternally inherited, allowing for matching with maternal relatives even if there is no direct sample from an individual. This characteristic provides a pathway for identification when nuclear DNA profiling might fail due to the age of the sample or extensive degradation.

While other techniques like nuclear DNA profiling can provide more detailed information about an individual, their effectiveness diminishes significantly as the biological material ages. Historical data matching and RNA sequencing are less applicable for aged remains; RNA degrades even faster than DNA, and historical matching typically requires more detailed life-history data not always available for old remains. Thus, mtDNA profiling stands out as a robust tool for identifying aged biological remains.