DNA Paternity Testing Procedure
To initiate a paternity test with DDC UK, please call us at
0800 860 0856 or use our DNA test contact form. One of our knowledgeable case managers will explain the testing process to you and will coordinate your DNA sample collection with a doctor or nurse in your area.
DNA Sample Collection
At your sample collection appointment, you will be asked to present government-issued photo identification for yourself, as well as identification for any tested minors for whom you have parental responsibility. In addition, you will need to complete a Client Identification and Consent Form for yourself and any tested minors in your care. Finally, the sample collector will take your photograph and thumbprint. All of these steps are requirements of the chain of custody documentation process.
After you have been positively identified and have filled out the consent form(s), the doctor or nurse will collect your DNA samples using the quick and pain-free buccal swabbing technique. This collection method involves rubbing four cotton-like swabs against the inside of the cheeks. Learn more about buccal swab collection by reading our DNA Sample Collection page.
DNA Testing at the Laboratory
Once your DNA samples have been collected, the doctor or nurse will ship them to our laboratory in tamper-resistant packaging. Upon arriving at our lab, the sample packages are closely inspected for any signs of tampering. If intact, each sample is recorded into our database.
When all the samples for a DNA paternity test have arrived at our laboratory, we begin the DNA testing process. The samples are carefully divided into two groups for separate testing by two independent teams. Employing our special Dual Process™, each of these teams performs the steps of the paternity test:
- They extract DNA from the buccal swab samples and purify it.
 They perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the extracted DNA. This process makes millions of copies of each of the DNA markers we examine in our paternity tests.- They analyse the PCR products to generate a DNA profile for each tested individual. (A DNA profile is a person's unique genetic "fingerprint.")
- They compare the DNA profiles of the child and alleged father, looking for evidence of genetic inheritance between the two. Statistical calculations are performed using data from the DNA markers that were analysed, and a probability of paternity is determined.
A probability of paternity of 99.9% or higher means the alleged father is not excluded as the biological father of the child.
A probability of paternity of 0% means the alleged father is excluded as the biological father of the child (i.e., he is not the father).
Paternity Test Results
DDC UK will complete your DNA paternity test within 5 business days. We will send your results by post; you may also request to receive them via fax or courier delivery for a nominal fee. Please call us at 0800 860 0856 for more information about these options.
|
