A DNA probe which is homologous to at least a portion of a hypervariable DNA region D2S3 located at chromosome 2q35-37 in the human genome. The DNA region displays restriction fragment length polymorphism when digested with certain restriction endonucleases. The probe, p5-1-25, can be used to produce a genetic "fingerprint" to establish human identity, determine engraftment of bone marrow transplants, determine parentage, and otherwise map genes.