Random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD PCR) fingerprints in forensic species identification.

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was used to identify the species of forensic biological samples. Neither genomic DNA sequence nor two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cycle programs is required. Only single 10-nt primer and one PCR program are used. We demonstrated that this method can be used to identify animals including bovine, goat, pig, dog, rat, rabbit, chicken, duck, and human by comparing their RAPD PCR fingerprints. This study provides a simple, fast and sensitive fingerprinting method in species identification for crime scene evidence or food products of endangered species.