Testing Process

To initiate a paternity or other family relationship test, or to simply ask questions about our Genetic Discovery services, please call 1-800-833-0992 or use our online contact form. DDC’s knowledgeable case managers will provide all the information you need and arrange for convenient sample collection appointments when you are ready; we can always schedule separate appointments for different tested parties if preferred.

At the Collection Facility: Chain of Custody Process

Clients are advised to present a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport). This will help us to properly identify all tested parties with documentation. All test participants will also have to complete a Client Identification and Consent Form. The legal guardian must sign this form for test participants who are minors (under 18). The sample collector takes fingerprints and photographs of all test participants as part of the chain-of-custody documentation.

Cheek Swab Collection

Since DNA obtained from all kinds of different biological materials is the same, DDC Genetic Discovery chooses to perform the painless and simple cheek swab sample collection procedure. A simple buccal swab—similar to a cotton-tipped swab, but made of the special material Dacron®—will be used to collect loose cheek cells in the patient’s mouth. We routinely use 4 swabs to collect samples from each of the tested parties, which provides enough viable DNA for our laboratory to perform paternity and other family relationship tests.

DNA Test in the Laboratory

All samples from different tested parties are packaged in their own separate envelopes and arrive in our laboratory in a sealed, tamper-evident package along with the chain-of-custody documents. When samples are received in our laboratory, our staff will first check to see if the package seal is intact. Each sample is then given a bar code and logged into our database. We start the DNA test after samples from all tested parties arrive.

In the laboratory, DNA will be extracted from the cheek swab samples, and copies of DNA will be made through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR process targets 16 specific locations in the DNA (called loci) and makes billions of copies of each location. The materials produced by the PCR process will be used to create a DNA profile, a genetic fingerprint for each tested party.

Our scientists will then compare the tested parties’ profiles, and generate statistics to show the probability of relatedness between them. Typically, A 0% probability of paternity is generated for an exclusion (the alleged father is not the biological father) and at least a 99.99% probability represents an inclusion in a standard paternity test (the alleged father is the biological father).

Paternity Test Report

At DDC, it takes 3 working days to produce results for a standard paternity test (5 days for prenatal tests). Results are sent via first-class mail; we can also send results through fax or courier service upon request. Please call 1-800-833-0992 for instructions on setting up your case and requesting special delivery of results.