A cadmium complex, [Cd(L)2(CH3OH)2] · (NO3)2 (L = 2,5-bis((benzoimidazol-2-yl)methylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectra, electrochemical, and fluorescence properties. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals that the complex crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system with P space group. The coordination geometry around cadmium is octahedral. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds result in the generation of a 1-D infinite chain structure. Both UV-Vis spectra and cyclic voltammetry studies show the Cd(II) complex could be used as a probe to distinguish ssDNA from dsDNA. Differential pulse voltammetry indicates the complex could be used to analyze quantitatively for DNA. The solid complex exhibits strong luminescence emission in the visible region at room temperature upon excitation with UV radiation.