Population data of 23 STR loci (PowerPlex® Fusion System) in Mexican Mestizos from the West Region

We analyzed 238 unrelated Mestizo (admixed) individuals from the West region of Mexico with the PowerPlex® Fusion System (Promega Corp.). Allele frequencies and forensic parameters were estimated for the 23 STRs included in this kit. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by locus and non-association between pair of loci were demonstrated by exact tests in this population. The combined PE and PD offered by this HID kit were ≥0.9999999986, representing a substantial improvement with respect to those previously offered by 15 STR systems. Interpopulation comparison by AMOVA tests demonstrated low but significant differences among Mexican Mestizos from West, Center, and Northeast regions (Fst = 0.01558; p = 0.0000), similar to the observed among three main ethnic groups from USA (Fst = 0.02048; p = 0.0000). This finding is consistent with the contrary clines of European and Amerindian ancestries described throughout the Mexican territory for Mestizos, the largest population (~90 %) in this country.