DNA typing methods using nuclear genomic DNA, HLA-DQ alpha, and the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) locus D1S80, were unsuccessful in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification of a portion of the mtDNA control region was performed and the PCR output was subjected to DNA sequence analysis. The DNA sequence was identical to the maternal reference sequence and to sequences generated from two sisters. Furthermore, the sequence was unique when compared to more than 650 DNA sequences identified in the literature and through personal communications. Individual sequence polymorphisms were present in only 23 of 1,300 nucleotide positions analyzed. When conventional DNA typing is unavailable, mtDNA sequencing can be used to identify human skeletal remains. 2 tables, 3 figures, and 29 references