The procedure uses two sets of primers complementary to the DXZ4 and SRY genes for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR target in the DXZ4, an 80-bp sequence within the 130-bp fragment specific to females, was generated from inactive chromosome X by the DNA digestion with a methylation- sensitive restriction enzyme, HpaII. Therefore, the DXZ4 amplification and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis detected the 80-bp fragment from female DNA. In contrast, the SRY probe identified a male-specific sequence on chromosome Y. Testing DNAs from fresh Turner's blood and from postmortem tissues exhibited band-signals confirming the sex identification. Degraded DNAs isolated from severely decomposed specimens were also identifiable when DNA of high molecular weight was isolated before the assay. Figure, photographs, and 12 references (Author abstract modified)