High sensitivity, robustness and scalability are the three criteria which influence whether techniques for rapid mutation detection will be used in the future. PCR-SSCP, one of the most popular methods for detecting mutation, especially in the field of medical genetics, is being improved (1) to efficiently detect mutations in long stretches of PCR products; (2) to simplify data interpretation by removing PCR artifacts and (3) to minimize human involvement in the process of mutation detection by a simple post-PCR fluorescence labeling followed by separation using automated DNA sequencers.