[Sex determination of cadaver material by the detection of specific nucleotide sequences of the Y chromosome following DNA cleavage].

A gene technological method of sex determination in cadaverous material is reported. The samples were taken from a child's corpse, which was nearly completely skeletonized after 1 year in water. From cells of the bone marrow the DNA was isolated and digested by restriction enzymes. A defined fragment of 2.12kb length was cleaved off by the endonuclease HaeIII in the presence of Y chromosomes. After agarose-gel electrophoresis of the DNA fragments, the specific sequence was detected by hybridization with the cloned, radioactively labelled complementary plasmide pHY2.1.