CPT Code(s):
N/A
Collection Procedure:
The most direct way to arrange for specimen collection is to make an appointment to come to our facility. The samples are collected from the mouth of each participant using a soft brush. No foods or drinks should be taken for one hour prior to collection. If a child to be tested is nursing, the child should not nurse for one hour prior to collection. The inside of one cheek is brushed either up and down or back and forth 8 to 10 times through the entire cheek surface. With the same brush, the procedure is repeated on the other cheek. Then, the brush is placed in the plastic pouch provided and sealed. The plastic pouch has a label where the name of the participant, race and relationship to the child are recorded, along with the date and time of collection and name of witness. The participant and the witness have to write their initials on the label. The brush provided is soft (softer than a regular tooth brush) and the procedure produces no pain or discomfort.
Specimen Requirements:
Buccal swab
The samples are collected from the mouth of each participant using a soft brush. No foods or drinks should be taken for one hour prior to collection. If a child to be tested is nursing, the child should not nurse for one hour prior to collection. The inside of one cheek is brushed either up and down or back and forth 8 to 10 times through the entire cheek surface. With the same brush, the procedure is repeated on the other cheek. Then the brush is placed in the plastic pouch provided and sealed. The plastic pouch has a label where the name of the participant, race and relationship to the child are recorded, along with the date and time of collection and name of witness. The participant and the witness have to write their initials on the label. The brush provided is soft (softer than a regular tooth brush) and the procedure produces no pain or discomfort.
Progress in DNA analysis has made an impact in multiple areas of medicine and biology. One of those areas is individual identification, that is, the ability to detect specific markers that, in combination, are unique to a given person. Parentage testing is most commonly performed to aid in cases of disputed paternity and child support; however, there are situations in which a person wants to know who the biological father of child is for reasons unrelated to litigation or child support. Similarly, questions sometimes arise regarding the family relationships between individuals as in immigration proceedings, for example. In all these circumstances, DNA testing constitutes a powerful tool that aids significantly in the resolution of these issues.
- Frozen specimens
- Ambient: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Use:
Parentage testing is most commonly performed to aid in cases of disputed paternity and child support; however, there are situations in which a person wants to know who the biological father of a child is for reasons unrelated to litigation or child support. Similarly, questions sometimes arise regarding the family relationships between individuals as in immigration proceedings, for example. In all these circumstances, DNA testing constitutes a powerful tool that aids significantly in the resolution of these issues.
Parentage Testing for Legal Purposes: For the test to be admissible in court, every part of the procedure must conform to the requirements of the judicial system. This mainly involves steps to document the identification of the participants and the chain of custody of the specimens.
Identification of Participants: Although the participants can obtain the mouth samples themselves, samples have to be collected by following accepted legal procedures. These procedures include the presence of a witness having no interest in the results of the test; documentation of the identity of the participants; documentation of the identity and integrity of the samples; fingerprints; and instant pictures of the participants (one of the mother with the child and another of the alleged father). All this is done at our facility when the participants come for sample collection. If samples are collected elsewhere, the participants will have to arrange, with the agreement of all parties involved, to collect the samples in a suitable place and in the presence of an appropriate witness. The attorneys of the case may help with these arrangements
Chain of Custody: Every step, from specimen collection to specimen storage, to specimen testing and result reporting, is documented by recording the name of the person handling the specimens and the purpose of such handling.
Testing Not Involving Legal Proceedings: If the testing is not intended to be part of a legal action, the identification procedures are not necessary. This may facilitate the process of specimen collection and reduce the cost. The results will be as accurate as for those that are part of legal proceedings but will not be valid in a court of law. This means that if at a later time legal issues develop, the test will have to be repeated at full cost to the participants.
Special Cases: Sometimes the mother is not tested or the father is unavailable but his relatives are, or there are other special circumstances. In most cases, it is possible to do the tests and arrive at appropriate conclusions;
however, in general, the power of the analysis decreases, and the chances of less-definitive or inconclusive results are higher.
Methodology:
Polymerase chain reaction of short tandem repeats
Reported:
Two weeks; the person requesting the test specifies who should receive the report. Usually, one copy is for the participants and one for the attorney(s). Depositions can be arranged if and when required.
Reference Values:
The results are summarized in a detailed report that provides an interpretation regarding exclusion of paternity or likelihood of paternity. The report can be used as a legal document if the test is part of legal proceedings.