The samples included tissues from two occupants of an aircraft involved in an accident, seven blood samples (including five aircraft accident-related samples plus blind controls), and multiple specimens from an aircraft accident victim. The research examined biological samples from these cases for six independently inherited genetic loci using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) suitable for analyzing degraded DNA generally encountered in putrefied or contaminated samples. Results clearly demonstrated the practical application and effectiveness of the PCR-based DNA typing in resolving some issues related to postmortem toxicology. Findings suggested that this simple, less time-consuming typing procedure is suitable for the analysis of degraded CAN in the putrefied samples generally encountered in postmortem forensic cases, particularly those associated with aviation accidents. Findings suggested that the molecular biologic approach to address forensic issues improves not only the degree of certainty, but also the authenticity of toxicological results. Tables and 11 references (Author abstract modified)