Abstract: The present invention provides rapid and highly effective methods for extracting nucleic acids suitable for PCR amplification from tissue samples and paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Extraction is accomplished within a few minutes using a composition comprising a buffer, at least one nonionic surfactant, and a protease enzyme. The sample is then heated at alkaline pH and after a centrifugation step, the DNA is the supernatant can be used directly in known amplification methods, such as PCR.