COURT ADMISSIBLE TEST
This type of DNA paternity test has to be performed by an AABB accredited laboratory to be held admissible in a court of law. This test option is the best if it is believed that the results will be required for some legal or governmental purpose. These may include a legal proceeding in court, social security benefit, change of name, correcting of birth certificate, paternity disputes, military benefits, IRS, custody and/or child support issues. The results take only 3 business days. This test is performed by an unbiased third party following a strict chain of custody procedure. Samples are sealed with tampered proofed tape and carefully tracked throughout the testing process. You are required to bring photo ID for the adults and if possible a birth certificate or social security card for the child. Photographs will be taken of the individuals being tested at the time samples are collected.
PEACE OF MIND TESTING
This DNA test option is just for your own peace of mind. This cannot be used for legal purposes as it is only for your own personal knowledge. Although the collection of the DNA samples/specimen is being done by a third party in our office there is no chain of custody followed as with the Court admissible test. However, we will provide the same quality test and also provide the results in the same manner. The Father and the child will be required to come in to our collection facility and the collection of the samples are performed by us. We have two (2) Peace of Mind tests to choose from. One, the results will take 5 – 7 business days and the other option offered at higher price only takes 3 business days for results. The difference between this DNA test option and that of the court admissible test, is that you will not be able to use the results for legal purposes since it was not originally collected under strict chain of custody as with the Court Admissible test option.
DISCREET TESTING
You may also choose to discreetly test someone by using and bringing samples such as hair (must be pulled hair/cannot be cut), fingernail clippings, ear wax swabs, toothbrushes, cigarette butts, chewing gum and more. We don’t guarantee that DNA will be found on the sample that you provide to us but if it does contain DNA, we can compare it to yours or your loved one to determine paternity, maternity, sibling, same paternal or maternal lineage, uncle or aunt. Please call for special instructions on collection and packaging of the samples.
SELF-KITS or HOME KITS
This type of DNA testing is also for your own peace of mind and cannot be used for proof for any legal or governmental purpose. This option is our most popular option due to price and convenience. The collection of the DNA samples/specimens is done by YOU in the comfort of your home. The results take the same time frame of 3 working days. You can conveniently pick up a kit at one of our office locations (please call as certain restrictions apply). However, you must call to arrange for kit to be prepared for pick up (please no walk – ins). We will need the tested parties’ names, a password or code, an address, and a contact number wherein we can reach you for results. You must also pay for the kit at the time of pick up with just a $50.00 deposit. You also have the option to bring the samples back to our office or you may mail it directly to our laboratory (as long as it has been paid) in our pre-paid express envelope. This is what separates us from all those other self-kit companies. You only pay at the time of pick up of the kit instead of by telephone. This gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the kit or the collection procedure face to face. Or save yourself money and purchase the kit online. We do charge an administrative fee for picking up kit at any of our locations.
RISKS INVOLVING SELF-KITS or HOME TESTS:
The results of a self-kit are accurate if done properly. We include directions with every kit and they must be followed. You do run risks of inaccurate results when allowing another to perform a self-kit that is not in your direct control or supervision. You also run the risk of inaccuracy of false positives or negatives due to mistakes done at the time of collection such as contamination and mix ups of samples or envelopes and mostly allowing others to be in possession of samples prior to the labs receipt. If there are trust issues already, how can you trust that it was done properly? Or that they deviously collected someone else so the DNA does not match? This is a very important question in your life and you should only have it answered once. Also, choosing the self-kit option can cost you more money out of pocket in the long run. A self-kit may not be a suitable test if the alleged father has signed the birth certificate as his name can only be removed by a court order in which a legal test will be required. Also, if he has not signed the birth certificate he will not ever be recognized as a legal father without first doing a legally admissible DNA test proving that he is the biological father of the child. For this purpose a court test is your best option.
PRENATAL TESTING – NOW OFFERING INVASIVE OR NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURES
DNA Testing while pregnant is a conclusive way to determine paternity (if a man is the father) of an unborn child. It is an excellent option for those who do not wish to wait to do DNA testing before the baby is born to determine the paternity of a child. We have several options to choose from below.
1. NEW! Non – Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test (No medical risks involved for the baby)
BEST WAY FOR DNA PATERNITY TESTING WHILE PREGNANT
We are partnered with the largest provider offering DNA testing while pregnant in the United States for the first non-invasive prenatal paternity test allowing us to offer this service to you LOCALLY as one of the three (3) test options before the birth of a child. Making this test option safe, convenient and at the same time giving closure to the parents and their families before the baby is born.
This test option is:
- 100 % Safe and greater than 99% Accurate with results in just 1 week
- Requiring only a simple blood collection from the mother & buccal swabs (mouth swabs) for the alleged father
- Can be performed any time starting in the 9th week of pregnancy until just before birth of the baby
- Easy to schedule with over 1,500 blood collection locations (most conveniently located near you)
INVASIVE PRENATAL PATERNITY TEST: (some risks are involved)
Two other procedures for doing DNA testing before birth of the baby that are performed depending on the stage of pregnancy are as follows and are invasive procedures and they both have some risks involved.
2. Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS)
During the 9th to 13th week of pregnancy, (the time of when the procedure is to be performed is depending on the doctor performing the collection) a small sample can be taken from the placenta, a membrane that partially surrounds the developing fetus. This procedure is performed either trans-cervical (through the vagina) or trans-abdominal (through the abdominal wall).
3. Amniocentesis
During the 14th to 24th week of pregnancy, (the time of when the procedure is to be performed is also depending on the doctor performing the collection) a sample of amniotic fluid can be drawn. The amniotic fluid, found in the sac surrounding the developing fetus, contains fetal cells that can be used for DNA analysis. Sampling is performed by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall to extract amniotic fluid.
Both of these procedures, which are commonly used to test for genetic birth defects and other possible health problems with the baby, are performed by an OB/GYN. Because the procedures are invasive, there is a slight risk of infection and risk of miscarriage. We urge the mother to consult her OB/GYN for more information about these risks.
These test options are greater than 99% accurate or higher probabilities of paternity for inclusions if the alleged father is the biological father and 100% certainty for exclusions if the alleged father is not the biological father.
All test options for prenatal above usually take five working days after receiving samples from all tested individuals.
