OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the forensic utility of Y-single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers. METHODS: Allele-specific PCR, restriction enzyme digestion or direct PCR were performed to examine 10 different SNP loci on Y chromosome, namely M9, M15, M45, M89, M95, M122, M134, M145, M173 and P25 in 161 Chinese Han males. RESULTS: A total of 8 of the 10 SNPs are reported to be polymorphic in Chinese. The gene diversity for the loci showing polymorphism ranged from 0.988/0.012-0.752/0.248, with a power of discrimination 0.094-0.373. Loci M122 and M134 were the most polymorphic markers in Chinese Hans. Nine different haplogroups with frequencies from 1.2% to 51.6% were observed and 3 of the haplogroups-K*(x O2a, O3, P), O3*(x O3e) and O3e were found in 75.2% of Chinese Hans. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive gene diversity data of Y chromosome and haplogroups were obtained in Sichuan Han population, which will be served as the base for using these Y-SNP markers in forensic medicine and individual identification in Sichuan Hans.