Can you relate to this scenario? You have already received your results for a DNA paternity test and, for your own personal reasons or perhaps for legal ones, you’ve decided to test again. This time your results were different. Perhaps the only factor that changed is where you tested your samples. You begin to question the accuracy of the lab(s) and the test itself. You sent in the same mother, child and possible father both times, and now you’re questioning the accuracy of the lab and the test.
Remember one thing: DNA is consistent and unchanging. DNA does not change over time or even because it was tested in a different lab.
DNA Lab Accreditation
At IDENTIGENE, we know the importance of DNA results and how they can be life-changing. We are an accredited laboratory and follow very strict guidelines to ensure accurate results. Maintaining these accreditations includes regular inspections by the accrediting agencies. IDENTIGENE is currently accredited by the AABB, L-A-B and New York State Department of Health. Any test done with IDENTIGENE will produce the same results as another lab with similar accreditations as long as each lab receives the correct samples from the same people participating in the test.
Personal Paternity Test
Back to our scenario. When collecting samples with a Home Paternity Test, be sure all participants collect and mail samples together. Participants may not live close to each other or there may be other reasons to collect and send samples separately. When a test is done separately, each person must be careful to avoid mistakes (or tampering) with the DNA sample collection swabs. In these situations, the integrity of each person is critical. If test results from two accredited labs are different, chances are it’s one of two scenarios:
- It’s possible that there was an honest mistake in collecting the samples.
- It’s also possible that one party intentionally tampered with the swabs before mailing them to the lab (see article about paternity fraud.)
In either case, a witnessed collection (legal DNA test) is your solution.
Court-Admissible Legal DNA Test
The only difference between a court-admissible DNA test and an at-home paternity test is the collection. A court-admissible test requires a disinterested third party to witness the DNA collection and verify identities of the participants being tested. Participants must show a valid form of picture ID in order to participate and have their DNA samples collected. Part of the witnessed DNA collection process includes a Chain of Custody Form, used to document who had control and possession of the DNA samples. A witnessed collection by a third party eliminates the chance for mistakes or tampering with the samples.
Guaranteed-accurate DNA Test Results
We guarantee the accuracy of our results and this guarantee depends on the correctness of the samples we receive. This is why it is so important to know, without any uncertainty, whose samples are being sent to our lab.
- For at-home collection, its best for all parties to collect samples together, helping each other to avoid mistakes. It’s also important that all parties mail the samples together, so there’s no chance for tampering.
- If collecting together is not possible, then consider a witnessed collection. (A witnessed collecting is required when testing for legal purposes, such as child support or immigration.) A collector guards against any potential problems by verifying the participants’ identities and helping to avoid tampering or mistakes of any kind.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.
okoth simon says
hello identigene
Where in uganda do they test for DNA and how much does it cost in ugandan shillings
Identigene says
Hi Okoth,
Thank you for your question! Is your test for immigration purposes? If so, you may need to contact the embassy in Uganda for further information on DNA testing. Identigene will send supplies to the embassy where they will perform the DNA test and send the samples to our lab. We recommend to call the embassy and then call us. We will need the letter from the embassy to send the kit for testing. For more information about international testing, call us at 1-888-404-GENE, Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM ET. Thank you for your comment!
jayson says
Can you test without the mother?
As in father and child?
Meisha says
We do strongly recommend including a sample from the biological mother because there is a rare chance the results will come back inconclusive without her. Including the biological mother in the testing is optional. We can do the testing without her sample included, and we do provided conclusive results on a regular basis when only testing the alleged father and the child.
The web link below will provide you with additional information about why the biological mother is sometimes needed to complete testing. I hope this information helps. If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact us 888-404-4363 and we will be happy to assist you.
Web link: http://dnatesting.com/including-the-mother/
Stefanae says
How do you guys know who the gear belongs to if the names of the father and child aren’t printed out on the dna paper.
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Stefanae. We have names and the participants’ roles in the test (alleged father, child, mother) associated with numbers in our system. We don’t put names on at-home tests since we have no way of confirming the names associated with the samples are real or if the samples belong to who participants say they do. Had the test been a legal, witnessed test, it would have names.
Stefanae says
I got a home test taken with my child and her father and the test said that he wasn’t the father. After a year we decided to take another because we both felt the test was the indentigene test wrong and come to find out he was the father of my child so how do you explain that ? He missed out on a whole year of his daughters life because of you guy’s test.
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Stefanae. With an at-home test, the identities of participants cannot be verified. For example, a possible father may tell us the DNA he submitted for testing is his own, but the lab has no way of knowing if it really was his or if he submitted his buddy’s DNA instead. All we can do is take people at their word. That being said, each test is run twice by independent teams to ensure correct results for the samples we are given. For at-home testing, it’s important for all participants to witness each other’s DNA collection to prevent fraud. If the exact same DNA was submitted for the second test as was submitted for your test with us, all data would look exactly the same.
Tyler says
Hi just took a dna test and they came back positive. Now the only thing that strikes me odd is that on my paperwork it says the child was tested in Chicago. But the child lives in Texas how is this possible and can you give me any advice on what I can do? How long do they hold onto samples? If the child hasn’t bending living in that state for years?
Meisha says
Good afternoon Tyler,
The information we would have on your case is information taken from the paperwork sent to us with the DNA samples. We would be more than happy to review this information with you to help you figure this out. This would be easiest to address by calling us at 888-404-4363 and talking to a DNA consultant over the phone. We look forward to hearing from you.
prince Debrah says
Hi, I dont trust my result of the parternity Test, because reading on your site i found how DNA test can be contaminated, my wife and I have been so worried about the result we had, we believe so much that the is something wrong with the test and we want to oder another test . please help us get this test right because God is looking at we all if we lied.
Identigene says
Good afternoon, and thank you for your question.
We do suggest waiting at least one hour after eating, drinking, brushing teeth, or smoking before collecting the samples to avoid the possibility of contamination. If the samples sent in to test with are contaminated our lab would be able to detect this. We even detect if there are two different DNA samples on the same sample swab, as it will show two different DNA profiles. If samples are not contaminated our lab would have released 100% accurate results (based on the DNA and information sent in to us to test with). In the event that your samples were contaminated, a DNA consultant would have contacted you asking for a recollection.
Here are some links that can further explain sample contamination:
http://dnatesting.com/how-do-dna-samples-for-paternity-testing-become-contaminated/
http://dnatesting.com/can-touching-the-swab-give-an-incorrect-paternity-test-result/
If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact us 888-404-4363 and we will be happy to assist you.
Donnee Spearman says
I would like to know if I took a dna test would you be able to tell me if I fathered a child in Vietnam if they have submitted a dna test?
Identigene says
Hi! Without more details in your comment it’s hard to give a specific answer. Please call us at 888-404-4363 during business hours to discuss options with one of our experts. Thanks.
mystique says
Hi I wanted to know if the test did come back inconclusive and a retest needed to be done, would another payment needed to be made? How does that work?
Identigene says
Hi! When a test is inconclusive, in most cases being able to test the mother also will resolve remaining paternity questions. If IDENTIGENE performed the initial test, we will send out another kit free of charge in order to collect samples from the mother.
Caitlin says
how do i know if my results were conclusive or inconclusive? i had my daughter and possible father tested and it just says 0%, not whether its inconclusive or conclusive. is there a chance this is wrong?
Identigene says
Hi, Caitlin. Technology is so improved these days that a paternity test between a possible father and child seldom yields inconclusive results. In most cases, results are 99.9% or higher probability or 0%. If there had been any question about the conclusiveness of your testing, it would have been noted on the report.
Caitlin says
so as long as i followed the directions and watched the alleged father do the dna test, there isnt a chance my results could be wrong?
Identigene says
Hi, Caitlin. As long as you supervised him as he swabbed his cheeks and put the swabs in the envelope and you were also there when the envelope was dropped in the mailbox, then yes, you can absolutely trust results, especially if you used an accredited and trusted lab.
Imra says
Hi
Analysis done by different labs for the same person, MUST THEY give EXACTLY the same NUMERIC VALUES of alleles of allelic pattern (vWA, TPOX, TH01, D13S318,…etc.) or not?
Thank you.
cengerman says
If the markers are the same, then the alleles should be consistent too, yes.
sl says
My bf and I received negative results. We tested together and sent them off so no intentional tampering plus he wants the child. You say sometimes unintentional mistakes are made. What are some examples of those mistakes specifically? Also we sent off in winter so could the climate have affected it or could the package have gotten damp but dried before getting there resulting in negative test?
IDENTIGENE says
We provide the most accurate testing available on the market today. We have worked extremely hard to put measures in place that prevent any mistakes from being made throughout the entire DNA testing process from beginning to end. This is why the accreditations we hold as a laboratory are so important. We follow very strict procedures, but because human beings handle samples, there is always an extremely slim chance of some kind of error along the way. In your case, since the results were negative, the samples were re-tested by a different person, just to be sure. You can be confident in the results. Season doesn’t affect results. Our processes are so precise that if there had been any problems with the quality of the samples, the lab would have caught it and requested new samples from you. Hope this helps!
Josh says
I have tested last year and the results read 0.00% possibility of paternity. But the device to which I had the results downloaded onto crashed and the results were gone. I’ve tried to redownload the results but it keeps failing. What can I do to get the results? Thank you for your time and help.
IDENTIGENE says
Hi, Josh. Give us a call at 888-404-4363 (M-F, 9 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern) and a Client Support Specialist can help you1
jayla says
If you don’t swab right can’t the test be different?
Admin says
Hi, Jayla. Really, the answer is no. The reason is that the DNA is the same for someone, no matter how well or how poorly you swab to collect it. If it’s poorly-collected, the lab can tell that the sample isn’t very good and will ask for a new sample before proceeding with testing.
elias georgiades says
we were told that no dna could be extracted due to the fact that the bones from which the sent samples were extracted were sprayed with chemicals for 45 years for preservation purposes
can you kindly advise us what to do next?
which are the best labs in the world to sent samples for a second or third test ?
much obliged. Nick
Identigene says
Hi, Elias. I emailed you on May 18, 2017. Please check your inbox. Because we are a business, it may have gone to your spam folder. Thanks!
Kevin says
AncestryDNA says that my Son’s born six years apart are not mine. It shows them as full Brother’s and also shows their Mother as their Mother. I am sending in my samples to your company now. Have you had other people with similar puzzling results from AncestryDNA? My son’s look just like me and I doubt they were fathered by someone else, that being said…anything is possible, I guess. AncestryDNA quotes that their tests are 99.6% accurate. I (their father) do not show up as a relative at all.
Identigene says
Hi, Kevin. I cannot comment on a different company’s test. All I can say is that we specialize in paternity testing and have performed thousands upon thousands of tests. It’s what we do, and you’ll be able to trust our results!
Tisha says
If mother, father and child took your at home DNA test and the test came back 99.9 % that he is the father… is there any possibility the test could be wrong? I ask because there’s another person that could have fathered my child and he thinks she’s his as well as I do… they look so much alike but he has yet to take a DNA test. Even the conceiving time is off…I’m so confused.
Identigene says
Hi, Tisha. Physical looks are never an absolute determinant of paternity, but DNA testing is. Is the other possible father a close biological relative to the man who was tested? Like a brother, father, or son? That could possibly make a difference.
Tisha says
No not at all. And as I’m aware that looks don’t determine anything but there is so many similarities but also the timing doesn’t add up … it’s just not possible.
Identigene says
Well, I don’t know what to say…It’s also not possible for a highly-accredited lab like ours to issue a positive probability of paternity if the man tested is not the biological father. I’ve had other customers say the same thing and then they test again and the results are exactly the same. That’s the thing about DNA testing, and why the courts rely on it: it’s totally without opinion, human error, or bias.
Jane says
Hi! I have a big question and I need your help. I had relations with two people of the same family, being uncle and nephew. Were done in total 5 DNA tests with the alleged father in two large reliable laboratory. And the results show 4 exclusion for the uncle and 2 inclusion for the nephew. I can not trust in this results because she has my shape eyes only and chin, nose, mouth, face, whole body, foot and hand are uncle’s. In the analysis the results is the number. I used 21 Marks e 27 Marks… were done 4 home tests and 1 legal test(uncle, mother, child) and 1 home test was done with the two supposed father at the same time. I do not understand why these results, if my daughter does not have characteristics of the nephew and the results gave inclusion to him? How is this is possible?
Identigene says
Hi, Jane. Keep in mind that the nephew may carry some of the genes for physical appearance that his uncle also carries, even though the nephew doesn’t exhibit those genes while the uncle does. Also, remember that looks are never a determinant of paternity: only DNA can tell for sure.
Jane says
I understand but they are very different….if I go to court. Can I have different results? Because I can not believe in my results…..how they are relatives, I think the system excluded the uncle(the true father) and included the nephew (is not fathher). I saw this is possible in my case…. she looks exactly his uncle….I do not know what I can do it…please help me. She is not the nephew daughter, I’m sure. Thanks
Identigene says
Jane, DNA results are science, not opinion. I’m not sure what else I can tell you.
Lesedi says
Do paternity report open in absence of parents?
Identigene says
Hi, Lesedi. I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your question.
Melody says
Hello my husband took the dna test through u guys and it came back as 0% chance of him being the father now the mother wants to take a legal test for child support. Is it possible for the results to come back different from the 1st test?
Identigene says
Hi, Melody. If the DNA samples for the second test are for the same people who did the at-home test, then the results will be exactly the same.
Melody says
How many locations are tested before it’s determined the alleged father has 0% probability of being the father?
Identigene says
Hi, Melody. The answer is 16-24. Whatever it takes to obtain conclusive results.
Rain says
Hi is it possible to have a wrong DNA this is the story, my cousin is pregnant with her ex boyfriend, but the guy left her and then she meet a man and he marry my cousin even shes already 4 months pregnant, they need DNA for all their kids. The result came all positive 98% how is that happen?
Identigene says
Hi, Rain. I don’t see how this could happen if a reputable lab was used. On top of that, for a straight paternity test, accredited labs today will only return a 99% or higher probability and not 98%.
Bobbie says
Hello, I got my daugher and the possible father of my child tested and it came back 0% I don’t understand because she looks like him a lot and she is really white like us both. The person I will be testing is black but there are no resemblances and she has no trace of being mix race what so ever. We also noticed that you had to leave the swabs out to dry for an hour which I have never heard of before.. could this been bought from a fraud website?
Identigene says
Hi, Bobbie. You don’t have to leave the swabs out for an hour prior to putting them in the envelope. If they’re a little too wet, just waving them in the air for a minute should do the trick. Physical characteristics are never absolute proof of paternity…only DNA can determine that. It may be that the biological father of your child, if he is black, has white in his background and those are the genes the child is displaying.
Lynn says
Hi. I tested with your company twice. I received the same results both times. The first time we did a split kit ( cause we live 5 hours apart). This made me feel insecure about the results. So 2 weeks later we retested and I drive to the other parties home and we did it together and mailed to your lab. The results were the same as first test. But how do I know for sure your company ran the second test. If our names are in your system the lab could have seen a test was done on us 2 weeks ago and just sent me the same results.
Identigene says
Hi, Lynn. There’s absolutely no chance that happened, so you can rest assured.
Lynn says
Great to hear that…what policies does identigene have in place so I can be assured
Identigene says
Our parent company, DDC, is a highly-accredited lab and trusted around the world. We run each and every test that comes to us as if it is a new test (which it is), regardless of names or past testing history.
Lynn says
Hi. I tested with your company twice. I received the same results both times. The first time we did a split kit ( cause we live 5 hours apart). This made me feel insecure about the results. So 2 weeks later we retested and I drive to the other parties home and we did it together and mailed to your lab. The results were the same as first test. But how do I know for sure your company ran the second test. If our names are in your system the lab could have seen a test was done on us 2 weeks ago and just sent me the same results. Your company has not responded.
keisha says
hi there was test taking and the parties leave different state and they may be half sister’s sane father different moms they took are home test with company the result was i believe 00.9 or 1.something anyway company only used 14 different test I think chromosome so does test need to be done with more family members
Identigene says
Hi, Keisha. That wouldn’t hurt, since results were inconclusive. IF you want to talk about it with one of our experts, you’re welcome to call 800-681-7162.
Anthony says
I took a test in 2016 from your company before the merger to DDC, the test came back negative. To verify that the test was accurate I took a test again with my other son which came back positive. Now I was asked to do another test through DDC this time, what is the likelihood that the test would change or there was a false negative? I know how I took the test I followed the directions word for word.
Identigene says
Hi, Anthony. If the exact same people contribute DNA again this time, you can expect results to be exactly the same.
Anthony says
Last time I took the test it was with just the child and myself. This time it will include the mother, I’m gonna assume that won’t really impact the results of the test. Has the testing format changed how they examine the samples that are sent in since moving to DDC?
Identigene says
No, not at all. All accredited labs follow similar processes. If you were given conclusive results the first time, adding the mother won’t make a bit of difference.
Sherri says
Hello, does your company keep samples/results from 2006? My results came back that my father isnt my bio father and my mother is swearing the results are wrong (I had the test when I was in my 30’s). I am now wanting to redo the test for everyone’s sake.
1. If my fathers sample is still on file would I be able to do my swab, send it in then you all compare to his from 2006? (His dna/swab wouldn’t be in question as my other sisters had the test at the same time and he is their father).
2. If you don’t have his sample on file, would I be able to do the swab myself, send it in, then compare my numbers to his from our results from 2006?
Thank you!
Identigene says
Hi, Sherri. We keep results on file for one year for an at-home test and for five years for a legal test, so we would not have any data on file for 2006. All parties would need to retest.
Nani says
Hi i just did i test threw my alleged fathers mother meaning we didnt do the test together the results came back 0% which im ok with but i feel a little paranoid i mean i really dont understand how someone would mess with a baby’s life like that but i maybe wrong any suggestions i really want to let it go we dont get along and maybe its for the best but my son has a right to know there is one other possibility but we used protection but then again things happen idk
Identigene says
Hi, Nani. I’m not really sure what kind of advice or suggestions you’re looking for? Sorry.
dimples0911 says
Hello i did a swab test , i watched the alleged father swab and put it in the envelopes, i put gloves on and swabbed my son he is currently 6 months so the swabs were a little damp when i put it in the envelope. i let it dry though could that affect the results on a test??
dimples0911 says
i put it in the big envelope and it came through just a tad bit
Identigene says
Hi, dimples. Chances are it’s just fine. It wouldn’t affect results, because if the swabs are contaminated, the lab suspends testing without issuing results and asks for new samples.
Martha says
My daughter and his dad had paternity test which was negative.both their picture was send with the blood i want to know why because blood can reveal if is biological father.
Identigene says
Hi, Martha. The science is sound; if the DNA submitted was indeed your daughter’s and her father’s, then he must not be her biological father.
Nina says
Hello, if the father of the child is not available, can a brother of the father take the test to prove that they are related?
Identigene says
Hi, Nina. Yes, absolutely. If the mother also participates in testing, it ups the chances of getting conclusive results. Our parent company, DDC, does this type of relationship testing. Please call for more info at 800-681-7162.
JaneDoe123 says
Recently tested with my son and his alleged father. The test came back 0% chance of paternity. and the alleged father must be excluded. We follow the direction according and i witness the entire process so there was no tampering of DNA swabs. My child’s father shared that he did smoke then brush his teeth and also used mouth wash afterwards about 15 minutes before taking the test. and the child eat about 30 minutes prior to testing. Can that possibly affect the results. We are retesting again through DDC directly, since they offered another kit? Any chances the results can be different.
Identigene says
If the exact same DNA is submitted for this test as for the last test, you can expect the data and the results to be exactly the same. If you were issued results for the first test, then that’s an indication that enough DNA was able to be extracted for testing, despite the smoking, brushing teeth, and eating beforehand.
Ciara says
The first go around only the dad and baby were tested, but now I was tested as well the first test came back he was the father but now the test is stating he is not. How does that happen?
Identigene says
Hi, Ciara. That can only happen if different DNA samples were submitted for testing. Is it possible he submitted someone else’s DNA as his own? Something to consider.
Ciara says
I don’t believe so, I was present for both tests. The second test was done I’m guessing with your parent company DDC and the first test was with you guys. It’s strange because all of the numbers are the same I’m guessing it is showing now that the numbers that matched for them she actually got from me? I’m totally unsure and confused
Identigene says
I don’t blame you for being unsure because the scenario as you present it isn’t possible. There must be something missing. I suggest you email us at the following link and we can help you figure it out: https://dnatesting.com/contact/
Tee says
Hi I have the same issue as you stated is it ok if you email me back
Bmorris says
Have you been tested again? If so what were the results of the 3rd test?
Tia says
Why would collection dates be different for the alleged father and child? And could this affect accurate results?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Tia. Collection dates could be different if the alleged father and child had their DNA collected at different times/different collection locations. But this would not affect results.
YELONDA says
Besides the standard markers for establishing DNA why would an additional test called the ancestry test be added in establishing paternity? We had three kids DNA done, 2 at one lab (we will call them lab 1) and 1 at another (lab 2). One of test done at lab 1 and the other one at lab 2 had the exact same markers tested however the other one from lab 1 had the same markers and an additional test called the ancestry test done, do you know why they would be different?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Yelonda. I have no idea why they would add in an ancestry test, especially if you didn’t request it.
Tiffany says
I did a test with a company didnt know it was in Canada so it a Grand parent test 1Grand & 1child it came back as kinshio 0.012 & probability 0.01% im looking to retest with 2grandparents can you help an do you know what them numbers mean it was a 16mark test
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Tiffany. Those results show that the grandparent and child are not related. But adding participants always makes a relationship tip more accurate, and I don’t know how reliable the lab is that you used. If you’d like to retest with two grandparents (and your DNA too), you are welcome to contact the experts at our parent company DDC: 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time).
Crystal says
The results came back 0.0% for all 3 possible chances of paternity, could one of them be wrong? Also those are the only 3 possible people. Would a blood test possibly show a different result?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Crystal. DNA from swabs and DNA from blood are equally viable for testing, so that wouldn’t make a difference.
Aaliyah says
Crystal, im in the same predicament. Did you end up retesting with a different lab?
Alysha says
Did anyone go to a different lab or the court?
Kara says
Can you swab someone’s spit to get the dna results thank you
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Kara. Cheek swabs are designed to scrape cheek cells from the inside of the mouth, which makes a much more viable sample. Spitting on the swabs is not nearly as efficient and the lab may not be able to extract enough DNA for testing.
Alysha says
I tested with you guys from my son and the father and that came back 0% I don’t understand cause my son looks just like him and his cousin we followed everything so I just need to know did I waste my money on this!
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Alysha. Physical characteristics are never an absolute indicator of biological relationship: only DNA can determine that for sure. You can be sure your results were accurate for the DNA we were provided to test. One thing to ask yourself: Are you absolutely certain the man submitted his own DNA? Did you watch him swab himself?
Neli says
Hi. I have done 2 paternity test and one was from DDC and other from court in my country. So, result was that my partner is a father of my child (both test). But i see similarity with that other man, like ears, fingers, nose,… And i don’t know how can that be possible, cause even the conception date is not close. So as i read a lot of people have doubt in results, cause obviously they see some similarity. So i ask u as u are genetics, could be possible that genes are mixed and can somehow be true that telegony exist? I dont find any other explanation in my case. But im so afraid the consequences that could happened. Is there anything else i can check to be absolutly sure?
Thank u for your answer. Regards, Neli.