Search Results for: legal paternity

When are Special Specimens Used in Paternity Testing?

Paternity tests are intended to help family members verify biological relationships between alleged fathers and their potential children. Taking a  test is usually an effortless process, but it can get a little tricky if the alleged father is deceased and not available to participate in paternity testing.

If you search the internet for answers about paternity tests when the alleged father is not available, you may come across information about using ‘special specimens’ in place of the alleged father’s cheek-swab sample. This is possible, however, it can be somewhat expensive, and there are no guarantees that a DNA profile can be extracted, therefore causing an inconclusive result.

What is a special specimen in paternity testing?

Special specimens are sometimes used in a paternity test in place of a cheek-swab sample that cannot be obtained from a participant. Special specimens are considered anything (other than a specialized cheek swab) which is used to extract DNA for paternity testing. Examples of this can be hair (with root attached), toothbrush, regular cotton swabs, or tissue samples of any kind.

IDENTIGENE does require consent for testing any DNA sample. If the alleged father is deceased, special specimens can be used with consent from the next of kin or someone with power of attorney. If the special specimen comes from someone under the age of 18, there must be legal-guardian consent. Keep in mind there is an additional cost to test special specimens due to the extra processes they go through.

When would you use special specimens in paternity testing?

Special specimens may be used in paternity testing; however, your IDENTIGENE client support specialist will assist in determining if other relationship tests, such as grandparent DNA tests or sibling DNA tests, would work as an alternative. If there is a relative of the alleged father who can be tested as a replacement, that may be a better option. This is because of the cost involved with special specimens, and there is no guarantee we will be able to extract enough DNA for paternity test results to be conclusive. However, if it is the only option, our team of expert scientists and laboratory technicians will do everything they can to get the answers you seek.

 Please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363 if you have additional questions about special-specimen testing.

Paternity Testing: What You Need to Know Before Getting Started

We receive many questions about what, if anything, someone should know before embarking on paternity testing. Here are a few answers:

How do I choose a lab?

Selecting the right laboratory is one of the most important steps. You want to verify that the laboratory is accredited with the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks). AABB-accredited labs are audited on an annual basis to ensure they adhere to strict guidelines and processes, ensuring reliable results.  If the laboratory has an ISO accreditation,  the lab is authorized to do international paternity testing for immigration purposes. This is also an indicator the laboratory is held to higher standards.

Which test is the right one?

Next you want to determine which type of DNA relationship testing is right for you. There are different options for different situations, so you want to make sure you make an educated and cost-effective decision.

If the alleged father is available for testing

If the alleged father is willing to participate and submit samples, then paternity testing is what you want. The next question is, what will you be using the paternity test results for?

If you need them for legal issues such as child support, child custody, or social security, a legal paternity test (with samples collected and managed by a disinterested third party)is required in order for results to be court-admissible The lab assists you with arranging the legal DNA collection at facilities in your area. Click here to learn more about legal testing.

If you don’t need the paternity testing results for legal reasons you can select to use the IDENTIGENE Paternity Test Kit. This collection kit can be purchased at a local retail outlet in your area. The kit includes collection instructions to collect the DNA samples for all of the paternity testing participants at home. It’s easy, non-invasive, and hassle-free. Once you collect the DNA samples for the alleged father, child, and biological mother (if she is available) you simply mail the samples along with the order form, which indicates how you want your results delivered to you. You can prepay the $139 processing fee ahead of time by calling our Client Support Center. Or you can choose to include credit card info or  a money order  with the self-addressed-stamped envelope supplied in the kit. Simple.

If the alleged father is not available for testing

If the alleged father is not available for paternity testing, there are other relationship DNA tests available as alternatives. This category is called Family Reconstruction Testing. These tests include grandparent DNA testing, sibling DNA testing, aunt/uncle DNA testing, or even y-chromosome or mitochondrial comparisons. When the father is not available, it’s essential to contact the lab to ask questions . . . a lot of questions. This helps ensure you receive the best DNA test option for your unique situation. Again, with all the choices available you want to make sure you have all of the answers before moving forward. Click here to learn more about testing without the alleged father.

How do I read and understand my test results?

One last thing you may want to know is how to read the paternity test results once you receive them. Accreditation requires that paternity test results be written in very specific ways, and they may not be as straightforward as some expect. IDENTIGENE paternity test results  read in one of the following ways:

John Doe is excluded as the biological father of James Doe.

This means that John Doe cannot be the father of James Doe because the analysis shows that they do not share a paternity relationship.

John Doe is not excluded as the biological father of James Doe.

This means that John Doe is highly likely to be the father of James Doe because the analysis shows that they share a paternity relationship.

If you read your results online and they aren’t clear to you, don’t hesitate to contact IDENTIGENE for clarification.

If you have questions, call our experts in the Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, M-F from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. And you can get answers 24/7 by visiting our online Help Center. 

What is a Home Paternity Test Kit?

The IDENTIGENE home paternity test kit is for individuals in need of a paternity test for peace of mind; to answer their questions of paternity without going through the legal process.

Home Paternity Test Process

The home paternity test kit comes with all of the supplies needed to collect DNA samples for paternity testing, including the alleged father, the child, and the biological mother if she is available.

  • The home paternity test kit allows you to collect the DNA samples yourself in your own home. Participants collect the samples (collection materials are included in the kit), fill out the paperwork, and send the samples to the laboratory for paternity testing.
  • Included in the kit is an order form which is used to advise the laboratory how you would like to receive your results.
  • You may receive results online using a secure login and password that you create on that order form.
  • You may use the self addressed stamped envelope supplied in the kit to send the samples to the laboratory for testing, along with the processing fee.
  • Once all samples arrive at the laboratory, the paternity testing process is one (1)  business day. You will then have the answers needed for your peace of mind.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The home paternity test collection kit is not for those who are interested in court-admissible paternity test results, which you may need for things such as child support, child custody, or social security benefits. Read on for details about the legal test or click here.

Legal Paternity Test Process

  • The legal paternity test process is different from the at-home “peace of mind” test.
  • The legal paternity test collection needs to be done by a disinterested third party; this test is arranged by the laboratory completing the paternity testing for you.
  • The client support team schedules your collection at an approved facility in your area.
  • You then go to the collection facility  and they collect the DNA from all participants, verify ID, and in most cases take photos.
  • The Collector is then responsible for sending the collected samples directly to the testing facility to ensure the integrity of the samples. This is to establish a chain-of-custody in order to make the results court admissible.

If you have questions, feel free to contact our Client Support Team at 800-344-9583, M-F from 9 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. You can get answers anytime online in our Help Center.

Need help?
Call 1-888-404-4363 Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm E.T. Send us a message. More ways to contact us.

HomeDNA Paternity
1 DDC Way
Fairfield, OH 45014

1.888.404.4363

Nationally and Internationally Accredited.

DDC, parent company of HomeDNA, is one of the most highly-accredited and recommended DNA paternity-test labs in the world. See our DNA Testing laboratory accreditations.

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