The effects of Asian population substructure on Y STR forensic analyses

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2009 Mar;11(2):64-9. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2008.08.003. Epub 2008 Nov 26.

Abstract

A total of 3046 males of Chinese, Malay, Thai, Japanese, and Indian population affinity were previously typed for the Y STR loci DYS19, DYS385 (counted as two loci), DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, DYS448, and Y GATA H4 using the AmpFlSTR Yfiler kit. These samples were assessed for population genetic parameters that impact forensic statistical calculations. All population samples were highly polymorphic for the 16 Y STR markers with the marker DYS385 being the most polymorphic, because it is comprised of two loci. Most (2677 out of a total of 2806 distinct haplotypes) of the 16 marker haplotypes observed in the sample populations were represented only once in the data set. Haplotype diversities were greater than 99.57% for the Chinese, Malay, Thai, Japanese, and Indian sample populations. For the Y STR markers, population substructure correction was considered when calculating the rarity of a Y STR profile. An F(ST) value, rather than a R(ST) value, is more appropriate under a forensic model. Because the F(ST) values are very small within the Asian populations, the estimate of the rarity of a haplotype comprised of 10-16 markers does not need substructure correction. However haplotypes with fewer markers may require F(ST) corrections when calculating the rarity of the profile.

MeSH terms

  • Asia
  • Asian People / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Y*
  • DNA Fingerprinting*
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetics, Population
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers