Methods and kits for joining fragmented nucleic acid sequences together are provided, including performing an amplifying step including contacting a sample suspected of including a fragmented target nucleic acid with a pair of external primers and a pair of self-complementary internal primers, and generating a full length target nucleic acid. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a target nucleic acid sequence.