Does the mother need
to be tested?
No. The test is absolutely conclusive even if the mother is not tested. In most situations, the
mother already knows that she is the mother and is not interested in participating in the test.
Does the age of the child matter?
No. DNA paternity testing can be performed on children at
any age. We even perform testing on newborns using umbilical cord blood. Once the child is born, you can safely collect samples
from the child's mouth as soon as the date of birth. The cheek swabs are painless and are the preferred and recommended collection
procedure for DNA testing.
Do
I need a doctors order or court order to have a test done?
No. Private individuals can have a DNA test done
without a physicians request or court order.
How are the samples collected?
Samples are collected by a local area sample collector via a mobile visit, a laboratory collection facility near
your home or a DNA test kit can be mailed to you. Once you place an order for the DNA test, a DNA testing kit will be shipped
to you. The kit contains everything you need to safely, accurately, and discreetly collect the DNA sample yourself. The kit
contains special cheek swabs called "buccal swabs". Buccal swabs look similar to Q-Tips. The swabs are rubbed gently
inside the mouth against the cheek to collect the DNA sample. After sample collection, the swabs are placed back into the
specimen envelopes provided and sent back to our laboratory for testing using the return packaging provided.
How long is the kit good for?
The shelf life of the DNA testing kit is four
years. This means that even if you are unable to use the kit right away, the unopened kit can be used up to four years from
the date that you first received it. Most patients return their samples to our laboratory for testing as soon as they have
completed collecting the samples. However, even if you are unable to return the samples right away, the samples are good for
testing for up to three months after the collection.
Is the test confidential?
Absolutely. Our laboratory ensures complete discretion and patient confidentiality. Results will only be released to the
person(s) specified. All patient files are password protected. All packaging is discrete and patient information is never
used for any purpose other than for the DNA test requested.
How long does
the DNA test take?
DNA paternity tests are usually completed within 2-5 business days from the day that the
samples are received by our laboratory. You may call our laboratory during that time using your password and patient I.D.
number to obtain the preliminary results of your paternity test. The results documents will follow by mail and/or Email as
specified in the original requisition.
Can the DNA participants live in different cites and still get a test completed?
Yes. With
our growing "DNA Network™" we can schedule both parties into a nearby collection facility or have a qualified
Sample Collector visit each client at their homes regardless of what city they live in. Once all samples have been collected
we will start DNA extraction and complete testing promptly.
Do you have a payment plan?
Yes. By adding only $25 to you total, you can use
a payment plan to pay for your testing fees. This will allow you to pay only 50% of your testing fees upfront and the remaining
balance before receiving results. You can make payments in any increments you desire and take as much time as you need. We
will start and complete testing without delay, however we won't release results until your balance is paid in full. Please
call one of our helpful case managers 800-219-4362.
What other
types of testing can be performed?
Choice DNA routinely performs DNA testing on a broad spectrum of samples
for special circumstances.
Prenatal testing: Testing can be performed before birth using CVS samples or amniotic samples.
The results are just as conclusive as testing which is performed after the child is born. To arrange for prenatal DNA testing,
call our laboratory at 1-800-219-4362 to make arrangements.
Forensic testing: DNA testing can be performed on a wide
range of forensic samples. Examples of samples which are frequently submitted to our laboratory for testing include: cigarette
butts, hair, dried blood, dried saliva, dried urine, underwear stains, razor shavings, hair brushes, toothbrushes, bone, chewing
gum, licked stamps and envelopes and wind instruments. Our state-of-the-art laboratory utilizes PCR technology we have extensive
experience in helping patients with unusual samples.
Relationship testing: Other than paternity testing, our full service
laboratory can conduct other relationship tests, including sibship (to determine whether two individuals are siblings), grandparentage
testing, aunt and uncle relationships.
Sex testing: Our laboratory is able to analyze forensic samples to determine whether
human biological material is present. If human biological material is present, we can determine whether the sample originated
from one individual or more than one individual. Furthermore, we can determine the sex of the individual and we can even match
the sample to an individual in question.
