When packaging the swabs for IDENTIGENE‘s DNA test kit, I accidentally brushed the side of my thumb against one of the swabs. What I want to know is would this somehow cause a mixed DNA profile, one that would not match the alleged father and therefore result in a false negative?
This is a fairly common question, and the answer is simple: The paternity test lab can easily detect when one swab contains more than one person’s DNA profile (we call this a ‘mixed profile,” meaning that DNA from two or more persons were ‘mixed’ on one swab sample). But rest assured, a mixed profile would not cause an incorrect paternity test result; instead, the lab would quickly identify it and we would send you a new set of swabs and ask you to collect the DNA sample(s) again.
It is possible (though unlikely) that accidentally brushing your finger on a dry swab (such as when putting the swabs into the specimen envelope) would generate a mixed profile. For this reason, it’s extremely important to be cautious when handling the swabs for collection or shipping. But, unless the contact with the swab was more of a ‘hard scrape’ than an ‘accidental brush,’ it probably would not capture enough DNA to significantly contaminate the swab and cause a mixed profile. If it did, the lab would again easily identify the problem and request a new collection; if not, the right samples from the right people will be extracted and tested and the paternity test result will be accurate.
If you ever have questions on submitting your samples or about possible contamination, IDENTIGENE DNA paternity test support team is here to help. Call them at 888-404-4363 during business hours. For quick answers to more questions, visit our Help Center.
kirstie mac says
Does all dna labs pick up if there is a mixed profile say if some1 has dropped it on the floor or the mother touches the daughters would this give negative results
Amber says
Hi Kirstie,
If there are mixed profiles on the buccal swab the lab would get two profiles. I can not speak for all labs, but here at IDENTIGENE we would require a recollection (we offer one recollect at no charge) because we can not determine which profile is the correct profile to use.
Need the truth! says
We took a previous identigene test a couple weeks ago the girl who accused my husband of being her father swapped her cheek he swabbed his cheek is stuck them in the box and sealed them he left and trusted her to get them mailed off.
Her birthday is May 26th 1982 doing a reverse conception birthday calculator, the person’s birthday was on Wednesday May 26th 1982
conception would have been on or around Wednesday September 2nd 1981 sex likely between
I have proof we were not even in Minnesota as of August 1st
A diploma from kentucky dated the 19th of Aug 1981.
This also means :
that they would have to have had sex between
I have proof we weren’t even near Minnesota.
Her father was a 1st cousin to my husband. Since passed away.
My question is:
Is there somehow she could have messed with the swabs before mailing them or is it a slim possible chance that the test could have got mixed up in the lab?
How could it possibly have been a positive test??
This would mean her mother was pregnant for 11 months. Actually 11 months and 2 weeks.
Her sister said she was born a bit early!
I really hope somebody contact me ASAP I appreciate your response .
Identigene says
Hi! I can only assure you that the results you received were correct for the samples we were given. We have safeguards in place to ensure that no mix-ups occur, and we run every single test twice. It’s impossible to commit any kind of fraud and have the test be a positive one for paternity.
Need the truth! says
I forgot to add the information below please add this to the comment thank you
The Birthday was: Wednesday, May 26, 1982
Conception Date: Wednesday, September 2, 1981
Implantation Dates: Between Tuesday, September 8, 1981 and Monday, September 14, 1981
The persons’s birthday was on Wednesday, May 26, 1982 at 40 weeks, and conception would have been on or around Wednesday, September 2, 1981 with sex likely between Thursday, August 27, 1981 and Wednesday, September 2, 1981
Jb says
Did u take another test ? I believe my results are wrong too because the kids doesn’t look like my bf or his kids or family and he right behind my son
Identigene says
When it comes to at-home testing, we have no way of verifying the identities of the people who submit samples for testing. So if an alleged father swabbed someone else and submitted that DNA as his own, we wouldn’t know. April, if the result shows a positive probability of paternity, then there’s no way he’s not the father. Physical characteristics are never a determinant of paternity…this child may very well have just inherited different genes for appearance, which may be why he doesn’t resemble the others.
Danielle says
I done a dna test test on my daughter the swab I dropped on on my thumb by accident and one fell on the couch by accident then put it in the envelope my partner said do the swab each cheek for 30 second the test result came back 96 percent but she doesn’t look like him can this cause anything
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Danielle. If you used an accredited lab, if the samples had been contaminated in any way, then the lab would have suspended testing (without issuing results) and asked for new samples. I’m concerned that you were given a 96% probability of paternity. With today’s technology, a lab can test more genetic markers or include the mother in order to get a conclusive results of either 99.9% or higher probability of paternity or 0%. You may want to contact the lab where you tested and ask questions.
Tracy PT says
Hello, please answer my question.
If non related alleged father’s swab touches the child’s swab and then sent to the lab for dna test, will the result comes out positive and presents the alleged father as the father since their dna are mixed already. Or if it were to be related father and child , will it make d result to be negative and present the father as not?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Tracy. The short answer is no, it won’t affect a test. The lab easily detects if there are two DNA profiles on a swab. If the swab were contaminated by the touch, then the lab would stop testing and request new samples without issuing results. So no worries!
jasmine says
what if i barely scraped my outer lower thumb area w a the side of the mouth swab tester? (drug test)