The present invention provides, inter alia, a method for generating a
genome-wide epigenomic map, comprising a correlation between
methylation variable CpG positions (MVP) and
genomic DNA sample types. MVP are those CpG positions that show a variable quantitative level of
methylation between sample types. Particular genomic regions of interest (ROI) provide preferred marker sequences that comprise multiple, and preferably
proximate MVP, and that have novel utility for distinguishing sample types. The epigenic maps have broad utility, for example, in identifying sample types, or for distinguishing between and among sample types. In a preferred embodiment the epigenomic map is based on
methylation variable regions (MVP) within the
major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and has utility, for example, in identifying the
cell or tissue source of a
genomic DNA sample, or for distinguishing one or more particular
cell or tissue types among other
cell or tissue types. Analysis of epigenetic characteristics of one, or of a set of
nucleic acid sequences, in the context of an inventive epigenomic map, allows for the determination of an origin of the nucleic acids.