Researchers designed an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers in order to amplify smaller than 70-bp regions of FOXP2 in identifying DNA as being of human or nonhuman origin, with the latter including apes. PCR amplification was also successfully performed with fluorescence-labeled primers; this method allows a single PCR reaction with a tenomic DNA sample as small as 0.01 ng. This system also identified the presence of human DNA in two bloodstains stored for 20 and 38 years. The findings suggest the potential usefulness of FOXP2 as an identifier of human DNA in forensic samples. FOXP2 is currently the only human gene known to be specifically linked to the cognition of language and speech. The ability to develop articulate speech relies on capabilities such as fine control of the larynx and mouth, capabilities not possessed by chimpanzees and other great apes. The simple amplification developed made it possible to classify the species of samples into four categories: human and nonhuman mammals and birds, reptiles and amphibians, and fish and others outside the detection limit. In addition, because all the PCR products are smaller than 70 bp, the primers might be applicable to low-yield and degraded samples. The descriptions of materials and methods address DNA extraction, the design of PCR primer sets, PCR amplification and detection of PCR products, multiplex PCR using fluorescence-labeled primers, and DNA profiling. 1 table, 4 figures, and 20 references