Human chromosome Y-specific short tandem repeat (Y-specific STR) markers have useful properties for forensic applications. However, there is a need to develop more Y-specific STR markers because the discriminating power of each STR locus is limited. In the present study, we describe our results on two new Y-specific STR markers, which were initially reported by White et al. [Genomics 57 (1999) 433] as Y-GATA-C4 and Y-GATA-A10. The distributions of alleles and haplotypes for both Y-specific STR loci were studied in a Chinese Han population sample. Allele determination was carried out by comparison with sequenced allelic ladders which were made inhouse. Following the recommendations of the International Society of Forensic Genetics, the allele classification for both Y-specific STR loci was based on the number of repeat motifs. The results show that the haplotype diversity, the power of discrimination and the exclusion probability in the Chinese population for both Y-specific STR loci were 0.9090. The implication from this study is that Y-GATA-C4 and Y-GATA-A10 are useful Y-specific STR markers for forensic DNA typing in Chinese populations.