A process for the detection of a nucleic acid sequence in a homogeneous assay format using an energy transfer system is disclosed. This process utilizes a 5' labeled primer containing a selfcomplementary sequence in an amplification process together with a subsequent detection step using a 3' labeled probe for the amplified region. The labels will be close together in space after hybridizing the probe close to the short piece of double-stranded DNA resulting from backfolding of the selfcomplementary region of the primer which has been incorporated into the amplified product. The new primer for use in this process is also disclosed.