The STR (short tandem repeat) genotype using the AmpFlSTR Identifiler Kit could be typed at 15 STR and amelogenin loci in 30 samples of 33 cases. The ABO genotype and amelogenin could be typed in 44 samples of 50 cases, using gel-based methods. In cases with successful typing of STR, ABO-DNA, and amelogenin, the longest time after death was from 12 to 26 days in a drowned body. The minimum quantity of dura mater required for DNA extraction was about 2.5 mg, dried and fixed by ethanol, in a cadaver 15 hours after death. Although the DNA yields from dura mater at the upper, domed part of the skull (calvaria) and the base of the skull were almost the same in 12 cases, the dura's DNA from the base of the skull was fragmented compared with the dura's DNA from calvaria in the case of STR typing in a drowned body 12-15 days after death. This result suggests that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of long size at some loci are not detected because of DNA fragmentation by putrefaction. Therefore, the sampling of dura mater may be more desirable from the calvaria. When the putrefaction is excessive, DNA must be extracted from hard tissues such as hairs, teeth, and bones. Because DNA extraction from hard tissues is complicated and requires a lot of time, extraction from dura mater should be attempted before turning to the hard tissues. The dura mater was collected from 50 cadavers that included drowned, charred, and mummified remains. 2 tables, 5 figures, and 18 references