A new process and kit are described that combines methods for generating the nucleotide base sequence of a DNA molecule with an ultra-sensitive silver staining protocol. This new combination of technologies allows for a direct, non-instrument based visualization of electrophoretically separated sequencing fragments. This non-radioactive system includes sequencing the DNA molecule by forming a set of fragments using an enzymatic dideoxy-mediated chain termination method, electrophoretically separating the DNA fragments on a gel medium, and exposing the gel medium to ultra-sensitive silver-staining solutions for a time determined by viewing the silver stain reacted primer extension products.