We developed a simple method, based on the TaqMan technology, for fast genotyping of insertion/deletion polymorphisms of known location. The genotypes of 22 CEPH individuals, previously ascertained by conventional methods, were confirmed in the new assay without manual, time-consuming, post-PCR analysis. We propose to expand the application of TaqMan probes for population screening of insertion/deletion polymorphisms in which the exact endpoints of the insertion/deletion are known. The method can be applied to polymorphisms of any size and can be used for different applications such as diagnostics, genome variation, and species identification. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.