The distributions of the D1S80 alleles and genotypes in five endogamous pop
ulations (Lobanas, Jat Sikhs, Brahmins, Khatris and Scheduled castes) was d
etermined by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AMP-FLP) technique. Th
e distributions of the observed genotypes for the five populations conforme
d to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Two alleles D1S80*18 and D1S80*24 were ob
served in all populations at frequencies similar to many Caucasian populati
ons, but they showed significant inter-population variability within the re
gion. Allele *24 varied from 33% (Scheduled caste) to 49% (Lobanas), while
the allele *18 frequency was lowest in Lobanas (15%) and highest in Jat Sik
hs (25%). There was significant overall heterogeneity among the populations
studied for this locus. The heterozygosity, probability of exclusion, matc
h probability and discrimination probability estimates demonstrate the usef
ulness of this locus for paternity and forensic purposes in Indian populati
ons.