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Heavy Metals

The mysterious death of Francesco I de' Medici and Bianca Cappello: an arsenic murder?

BMJ 2006; 333 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38996.682234.AE (Published 21 December 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;333:1299

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Re: Who is who, that is the question.

In reply to your letter we would like to comment as follows.

DNA analysis was performed using microsatellite DNA
methodology. It was carried out by two different laboratories that
analyse ALSO modern DNA. They are ISO 9001 certified
laboratories whose performance and quality are beyond
discussion. All the recommendations of the International Society
for Forensic Genetics have been followed, including analysis of
negative controls. A “laboratory designed for ancient DNA
manipulation” is strictly necessary in the case of mitochondrial
DNA which is particularly prone to contamination. In our case
nuclear DNA was available which was fairly well preserved.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

09 January 2007
Francesco Mari
Prof. Forensic Toxicology
Aldo E. Polettini, Donatella Lippi, Elisabetta Bertol
Florence 50134