Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was studied as genotyping method typing for a strain collection of Salmonella, belonging to the serotype Senftenberg. This collection consisted of 48 strains/isolates that were sampled in Sweden during 1995-96. In this study the aim was evaluate the usefulness of RAPD in terms of discriminatory power, reproducibility and typeability to compare it with other genotyping methods. By using Taq and Tth DNA polymerase in separate reactions the ability to increase discriminatory power and reproducibility was studied. When Tth DNA polymerase was used in the RAPD reaction brighter bands were obtained and the reproducibility was increased. The results suggest that RAPD can be used for rapid screening of a strain material and in combination with other more discriminating genotyping methods to more truly reflect the genetic diversity.