Questions and Answers
Which samples can be used for a DNA analysis?
What are trace samples and what to take care of when taking them?
Of which persons are samples needed for a paternity test?
How to send samples?
How long does it take?
How reliable are the results of a DNA paternity test?
Is it possible to use the paternity expertise in court?
Is it possible to test other degrees of relatedness with a DNA test?
Is it possible to determine the origin of people with the same surname?
What is a DNA paternity test?
What is DNA?
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Which samples can be used for a DNA analysis?
The samples have to contain extractable DNA. Appropiate samples for a paternity analysis are:
- buccal swabs: they can be taken with our free test kit or simply use a cotton swab. You get a detailed instruction with all the necessary documents for the test which are included in our free test kit.
- blood samples (taken by a GP)
- trace samples (see below)
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What are trace samples and what to take care of when taking them?
If you cannot take a buccal swab, a paternity test can still be done with other types of sample material. In many cases these are so-called trace samples which contain very little amounts of DNA. Thus one has to be careful when taking these kind of samples, because the danger of contamination with your or foreign DNA is very high. This can influence the paternity test markedly. When taking the sample put your hand in a new and clean plastic bag and take the object. Then turn the plastic bag inside out over the object and seal the bag. If in doubt, just call us. We have a vast experience with using trace material in paternity testing.
The following samples can be used for a paternity test:
- hair (only with roots; roots are visible at the end of the hair; best to use unplucked hair; hair taken from hair brushes is usually not suitable, because of it does not contain roots)
- used tooth brushes (used at least three times and dry)
- dummies (used at least 2 times and be dry)
- cigarette buds
- used chewing gum
- a used tissue/ handkerchief
- finger- and toe nails
- stubble from a razor
- ear wax
- blood stains (e.g. from a band aid)
To avoid mould growth all the samples have to be dry before they are sent to us. The DNA analysis of trace material is a lot more delicate than the analysis of buccal swabs and can only be carried out by well-trained laboratory staff. Therefore a DNA paternity test using trace material is not offered by many laboratories and not all of the laboratories offering a paternity test using trace material perform these tests reliably.
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Of which persons are samples needed for a paternity test?
A paternity test can be performed with samples of potential father and child (Deficiency case). The significance of a paternity test without the mother is already very high. A sample of the mother is not necessarily needed. An analysis including the mother (triplet case) can increase the significance markedly. We offer both possibilities with no price difference!
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How to send samples?
Send the unambiguously labelled samples simply via mail in a sealed envelope. A detailed instruction is included in our free test kit, which contains the buccal swabs and the complete documents needed as well as a correctly addressed envelope.
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How long does it take?
The paternity test result is sent to you latest 8 to 10 working days after receipt of the samples. We also offer an express service at an additional charge of EUR 119,-. You get the results within 5 working days after receipt of the samples. Please note that we can only send you the results after we have received your payment.
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How reliable are the results of a DNA paternity test?
The exact probability of the result is dependent on the DNA of the persons sampled. We inform you about the exact inclusion probability of the paternity. In case of a paternity the probability is up to 99,999999%, and mostly around 99.99%. The exclusion of a paternity can be determined with a certainty of 100%.
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Is it possible to use the paternity expertise in court?
If you want to use the results of your paternity test for legal matters, you have to take care of a complete chain of evidence, i.e. the taking of the samples for the paternity test has to be witnessed by a independend third party (e.g. a GP or a lawyer). We offer a special form which is applicable. According to current German legislation the sample of child, mother and putative father have to be present and every person who is concerned by the paternity tests has to agree to the test. At an additional charge we offer a testified taking of samples by our qualified staff in our business premises (by appointment only!).
According to German legislation all persons concerned by the paternity test, including the mother, have to agree with the conduction of the test. Please get more information about the current legislation in Germany. Find more detailed information here.
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Is it possible to test other degrees of relatedness with a DNA test?
Besides paternity tests we also offer tests for other questions of relatedness (e.g. siblings). For Information, please contact us.
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Is it possible to determine the origin of people with the same surname?
We can also test for relatedness for people with the same surname. We use Y-chromosomal markers which reconstruct the paternal line. This enables us to reconstruct paternal relatedness for people with the same surname.
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What is a DNA paternity test?
A paternity test is a complex scientific process which investigates highly variable areas of DNA (markers) via PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Every marker is comprised of two alleles. These alleles constitute the so-called genetic profile of a person. Every person gets 50% of each of these alleles from each parent. Therefore 50% of all the alleles of a child have to be identical to the mother`s alleles and 50% to father´s alleles.
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What is DNA?
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a very big molecule which carries all the genetic information. It determines our individual characters like eye and hair colour etc. Every child inherits a mixture of its parents. 50% of all the genetic information comes from the father and 50% from the mother. Every single person has a unique genetic profile (an exclusion are monozygotic twins).
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