Paternity & DNA Testing

As uncomfortable as it may sound, the question is more common than one might think. Who is the father? Today, more than half of all births from American women under 30 occur outside of marriage. Increases in births outside of the marriage may point to the transforming family. Today, technology has equipped women bearing children with non-invasive DNA paternity tests that will help answer the question, who is the father? Here’s a look at what DNA paternity testing is, how DNA paternity testing works and how it can help answer your father questions.

What is DNA Paternity Testing?

A paternity test will help determine the biological father of a child. DNA is inherited from our own biological parents. When a child is conceived half of the DNA comes from our mother and the other half from our father. A DNA paternity test compares a child’s DNA pattern to that of an “alleged father”. Today, it remains the most definitive proof when performed correctly in an experienced laboratory.

How Does DNA Paternity Testing Work?

Before Birth – Paternity testing before birth/during pregnancy is called Prenatal Paternity Testing. Today’s technology has allowed us to perform less invasive forms of prenatal paternity testing such as analyzing the child’s blood found in the mother’s blood stream. This new technique can provide answers in just 5 days and requires only a sample of blood. This test can be performed any time starting in week 9 of pregnancy. Other DNA testing techniques such as Amniocentesis are more invasive and can present the risk of miscarriage. See which option is right for you.

After Birth - Today, people may know of using a Buccal (cheek) swab as how most DNA Testing laboratories paternity test. This method is less invasive than the taking of blood. If the DNA test is for the mother and alleged father’s own knowledge, the option of purchasing a Home DNA Test is available. Once the paternity test has been ordered online or over the phone, the kit will be mailed to your home in discreet packaging within one business day. Follow and complete the instructions on the kit for collecting the DNA samples. After completion return the testing kit in the return envelope. Once the testing kit has been received by the DNA Testing facility, they will provide your testing results online in up to one day’s time.

Finding out who the father is doesn’t have to be a mystery. Get a free consultation today by calling 1-800-613-5768.

Since 1892 when Juan Vucetich made the first criminal identification using fingerprints, the technique of fingerprinting has become a key tool for forensic investigators worldwide. Fingerprints—the pattern resulting from the tiny ridges, whorls and valley patterns on the tip of each finger—are left when we touch surfaces and leave behind substances from our hands (such as sweat), or when we pick up substances from a surface (such as blood).

Today, a modern technique, DNA identification, has become an essential tool used in the forensic investigator’s toolkit. DNA identification, also known as DNA fingerprinting, analyzes a person’s DNA sample to produce a unique genetic record that can be compared to DNA collected from crime scene evidence. DNA fingerprinting has many advantages over traditional fingerprinting:

• DNA fingerprints are easy to obtain because they can come from many different types of cells that can be left behind—in any type of bodily secretion such as blood and sweat, in skin cells, hair, and even in fingerprints
• DNA fingerprints can be produced from trace (often invisible) evidence—only a very minute amount of DNA is required to produce a profile.
• DNA identification techniques continue to evolve and improve. Even partial DNA profiles provide much more information than a traditional fingerprint..

There are significant advantages of DNA fingerprinting over traditional fingerprinting especially in  forensic investigations:

• DNA can be obtained from previously collected evidence in old, unsolved cases for analysis.
• Major crimes often involve people who also have committed other offenses, and DNA identification makes it easier to identify suspects.
• Innocent people are currently incarcerated for crimes they did not commit; DNA evidence is being used to reopen their cases and find justice.

The robustness of DNA identification techniques has held up in courts for almost thirty years. In 1987, DNA Diagnostics Center’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Michael Baird, was the first scientist to testify in a U.S. court case involving DNA.

The federal government and most states now use DNA fingerprinting in the same way as traditional fingerprinting: to create an infallible record of a suspect’s identity.  In a landmark Supreme Court Decision on June 3, 2013, upholding the collection of DNA for serious arrests, Justice Anthony Kennedy calls it “a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment,” and importantly, “so that the criminal justice system can make informed decisions concerning pretrial custody.”  This case has established DNA Fingerprinting as a tool that accompanies traditional methods, like fingerprints and photographs, for reliably establishing identity.

The Supreme Court’s ruling puts an official stamp on the fact that already is: although there is a place for the technique of traditional fingerprinting, DNA fingerprinting, as it continues to evolve, will increasingly be the method of choice for forensic investigators.

Every day, as humans, we learn more and more about our own DNA and DNA Testing. With advanced testing technologies and scientific breakthroughs, we are able to dive deeper into preventative medicine and genealogy. But, what do people think of when they hear the words DNA and DNA Testing? Here are 5 things that pop in to minds when DNA is mentioned.

Appearance – One of the first things that people associate with DNA is its ability to dictate our appearance. We know today that our own DNA is the hard drive of body’s makeup. Connections to eye and hair color are written in our DNA.

Cloning – since Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned by process of nuclear transfer in 1996, people have been intrigued by the topic of cloning. This topic, however, is not without controversy as many oppose the ethical matters of cloning. Whether it is ethical or not, various applications of cloning technology continue to be developed.

Crime – With every crime that is reported, DNA testing is certain to be mentioned. Today, forensic science can trace clues from crimes to suspects or even convicted offenders’ DNA on file. Through DNA testing, DNA profiles can be created to accurately identify individuals from trace evidence such as saliva and even fingerprints.

DNA Paternity Testing – DNA testing is often connected with the process of determining biological parents. Through DNA paternity testing, individuals can prove biological relationships. Home Paternity tests can be ordered and delivered within one business day.

Ancestry – Interested in learning who your distant cousins are? Through Paternal Relative (Y-STR) Comparison Tests, you can be provided with a more specific confirmation of recent relationships. The testing process is done through a cheek swab and can completed in 2-3 weeks.

To learn more about DNA and DNA testing, visit us at dnacenter.com.

When you find yourself needing a paternity test, there are 3 main things you’ll need to consider as you begin the DNA testing process.

1. Is the test purely for personal knowledge, or do you need to show the test result to others?

The answer to this question dictates whether or not you need a legal paternity DNA test (also known as chain of custody paternity test), or a home DNA test.

In a legal paternity DNA test, your DNA sample is collected by a trained professional at one of our convenient DNA testing locations nationwide. You will be asked to present identification so that the laboratory can certify the names of the individuals being tested. The results are notarized and can serve as a legal proof of paternity or non-paternity. Separate appointments can be scheduled for each participant if desired (ie. the mother, child, and possible father); the samples are then transported to our laboratory where they are analyzed.

If you only want the test for personal knowledge, you may opt for home DNA testing. In this test, a DNA collection kit will be sent to your home or other address you specify, and you collect the samples for the father, child, and/or mother using cheek swabs. Because your identity is not verified by the laboratory, the results will not be notarized.

2. How do you choose the best paternity testing laboratory?

One of the key things to look for in a paternity testing laboratory is whether or not they have the AABB accreditation. Look into the laboratory’s history–you’ll know that a laboratory is reliable if they have an established AABB accreditation history.

In addition to accreditation, experienced staff is a must. Look for a laboratory with full-time, experienced laboratory directors. Check into how long the laboratory has been in business, and find out its staff qualifications in the areas of human genetics and DNA testing.

Call the laboratory and get a feel for their customer service. See how they respond to your particular concerns. Ask how they can ensure your privacy during the testing process.

If you’re opting for a legal test, another important consideration would be their network of local DNA sample collection sites. You’ll want one that has locations close to you, and if the tested parties live separately, a bigger network will allow for efficient and convenient appointment scheduling.

3. What are the testing costs?

The testing cost is partially determined by type of test (home or legal), as well as the turnaround time (i.e., how quickly you need the results back). At DDC, our goal is to make high-quality DNA testing accessible and affordable. We have a range of options for you to choose from, including:

• Online test results
• Standard 2-day turnaround time
• Expedited 1-day results available
• Partial payments accepted for legal paternity testing

To get started or find out more, call us for a free, confidential consultation at 1-800-613-5768 or visit our paternity testing page.

A Special Report from News Center 10 was released last week in the reuniting of Denise Plath-Slatterly’s long-lost sister, “Lory” (also spelled “Lori” in other reports).  It all started when Denise turned to Facebook after 20 years of searching to find her sister. On March 6, 2013, Denise posted a photo on NEWS10’s Facebook timeline requesting help in finding Lori Ann Plath. The post reached over 12,000 shares by people all over the country.

However, it wasn’t Facebook that reunited the long-lost sisters. It was News Center 10′s report on the Facebook posting that “Lory,” now named Jennifer, had seen. DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) confirmed the sibling match through a Maternity test.

In her efforts to find Lory, Denise says that she had contacted a private investigator, the Supreme Court and the Department of Health, but was unable to locate her sister.

The DNA test results were provided out of Cincinnati, Ohio from DDC. DDC offers a wide variety of DNA testing services for family relationship determination. For a free consultation or to order a test, check out our online contact form or give us a call at 1-800-613-5768.

When people think of DNA testing, they often associate it with words like reliable, high-tech, and accurate. However, the reality is that DNA testing is only as good as the laboratory that performs the testing. In the absence of a government agency that regulates or oversees DNA family relationship testing, laboratories and consumers rely on accrediting agencies, such as the AABB, to set and hold laboratories to DNA testing quality standards. AABB (previously known as the American Association of Blood Banks) is widely recognized throughout the world as the leading accrediting institution for relationship DNA testing.

So what does AABB accreditation mean for the consumer? It means that:

• The DNA testing performed by the laboratory meets or exceeds industry standards set by a panel of distinguished scientists.
• You can use the AABB accredited DNA test results in legal situations. Government entities such as child support and immigration offices worldwide often require that DNA tests be performed by an AABB-accredited laboratory.
• You are assured when the laboratory maintains its accreditation status year after year that it is committed to total quality–that its staff members are receiving continuing education and that the equipment used are kept up to date and in reliable condition.

DDC has held AABB accreditation since 1996, and has received multiple perfect inspection ratings from various accrediting organizations. In addition to AABB, DDC is also certified to international standards via the ACLASS Accreditation Services (ISO/IEC 17025). For a complete list and description of the various accreditations, visit our Accreditations page.

With DNA technology and equipment becoming more accessible and affordable, many companies are now offering DNA paternity tests. However, DNA testing involves much more than the technique and instrumentation–it requires the experience of qualified scientists, careful laboratory protocols, and client service professionals who understand the needs of clients in their particular situations.

For more information on our AABB accredited DNA testing services, call us at 1-800-613-5768.

At-home DNA testing kit can trace your past, predict your future

Source

DNA is being used more and more these days to help manage people’s lives and provide for better health. DNA testing allows scientists to predict not only physical traits such as eye and hair color, but also risks for heart disease and cancer. In the last 10 years, technology and DNA testing have allowed us to uncover what causes diseases and how to treat and prevent them. With only some saliva, you can begin uncovering information about your health.

April 25, international DNA Day, marks the 60th anniversary of the landmark publications in Nature announcing the structure of the DNA helix by James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, and their colleagues.  Since then, the innovations and discoveries made in the field of DNA and genetics have far exceeded everyone’s expectations. The timeline below shows some of the important landmarks in the history of DNA discovery.

1953       The three-dimensional structure of the DNA molecule was deduced. In 1962 Francis Crick, along with his colleagues, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

1958       Arthur Kornberg purified DNA polymerase I from E. coli, the first enzyme that enabled scientists to make multiple copies of a DNA molecule in a test tube.

1972       Paul Berg and Herb Boyer produced the first recombinant DNA molecules (This technique allowed scientists to take DNA from one organism and transfer it to another organism’s DNA).

1977      Fred Sanger developed the now widely-used method for sequencing DNA.

1978       Recombinant human insulin, eventually marketed as Humulin, was created–the first drug made by genetic engineering.

1981      Three independent research teams announced the discovery of human oncogenes (cancer genes).

1984       Alec Jeffreys pioneered DNA fingerprinting, the use of DNA to identify individuals and family relationships.

1985       Kary B. Mullis published a paper describing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the most sensitive assay for DNA yet devised. This greatly increased the rate at which DNA molecules can be duplicated and reproduced in the laboratory.

1987       Tommie Lee Andrews is convicted of rape in Orlando based on DNA fingerprinting–the first such case in the United States.

1988       The Human Genome Project began with the goal of determining the entire sequence of DNA in human chromosomes.

1990      Gene therapy is successfully used on a patient for the first time.

1994      A genetically modified tomato, the delayed-ripening FlavrSavr, gets the approval of the FDA.

1994      The first breast cancer-associated gene was identified.

2000     An initial draft of the human genome is presented. The complete human genome was unveiled in 2003.

2005-current Genome scanning methods are gaining popularity for medical, family research, and other recreational uses.

Visit our History of DNA Testing page to learn more about the development of family relationship DNA testing technology.

Forensic DNA Analysis is outsourced to private labs more often than one would think.

 5 Advantages to Outsourcing DNA Analysis

On the morning of June 27, 2000, Molly Bish went to work as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren, MA just like any other day. This was the last time anyone would see Bish until 3 years later she was found murdered in a remote area of Palmer, MA. Almost 13 years later, on April 14, 2013, it was announced that pieces of untested evidence in the investigation have been sent out of state to a lab in Dallas, Texas for DNA Analysis Testing.

Some may ask why do they do it? Why do they outsource if they have public labs in the state?

According to a 2010 study titled ‘It’s More Complex than You Think: A Chief’s Guide to DNA,’ several advantages factor into the use of private labs to perform DNA analysis.

Private Labs are a Business: Private labs are constantly competing with each other to provide the best service to their clients. Because of this, private labs tend to be more responsive while meeting expectations.

Latest Technologies: Because these labs have a business incentive it helps them stay up to date on the latest technologies. In some cases private lab equipment can be much more advanced than public lab equipment.

Speed: Analysts from private labs may not have the case volume that a public lab would, which opens the door for more attention from analysts. Most labs offer pricing structures that allow for expedited requests. Because of this, high profile cases may be turned around if the agency can cough up the coin.

Communication: Because private labs are—how do you say—private, they can limit communication between the scientists and authorities. As a result of the opportunity for “hindering” is reduced. Simply put, in a private lab, communication is streamlined with the scientist that frees them up for more DNA Analysis. The analysis process is enhanced by infrequent and formal communication between the authorities and scientists.

Accreditation and Auditing: Because the accrediting body certifies private labs, they are subject to frequent audits. This ensures that they maintain their highest standards at all times. Forensic testing labs such as DNA Diagnostics Center have the ASCLD/LAB-International certificate. ASCLD/LAB stands for The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.

There is no doubt that there are some major plusses all around for outsourcing DNA analysis to private labs. However in the case of Molly Bish, authorities have withheld comments on reasons and contents of the DNA outsource. If you are interested in learning more about DNA Analysis testing, analysis and the comprehensive services that our laboratory provide, check us out at DNA Diagnostics Center.

Like many of our clients, you may have questions regarding issues of privacy during the paternity testing process. Here are answers to 5 common questions about privacy in DNA testing:

1. Can I keep my DNA test confidential?
   DDC offers a private home DNA test and a legal paternity test. Both options allow clients to take a paternity test with the highest levels of confidentiality; the difference is that the legal paternity test requires DNA sample collection by a trained technician at one of our DNA sample collection sites. A home DNA test allows clients to collect their own samples in the privacy of their own homes.
   
   In both tests, we employ several security safeguards to ensure that your information is kept private and confidential. For example, we take steps to verify each caller’s identity to ensure that they are authorized to receive any information about a case.
2. How do you keep my contact and other personal information private?
   DDC only uses your contact and personal information to provide the DNA testing service; for example, to arrange sample collection appointments. We do not share your personal and contact information with the other tested parties in a paternity test–we understand that this may sometimes be a concern for some clients. Needless to say, we do not give, sell, or rent your contact information to third parties. In addition, we use state-of-the-art technology to ensure that all testing information is maintained in a secure database.
3. What happens to my DNA after it is tested in the laboratory?
   After the DNA paternity test is complete, DNA samples are destroyed after a holding period according to AABB guidelines.
4. Who has access to my paternity test results?
   Home paternity test results are sent to the person who set up the case. Legal paternity test results are sent to the adult tested parties and any other recipients they authorize, such as a lawyer.
5. Could my DNA end up in a government database?
   No. DNA tests initiated through DNA Diagnostics Center are private and confidential; we do not provide any of your DNA information to government entities unless you direct us to do so.
   
   Some clients may have heard about the CODIS database. In 1994, the DNA Identification Act allowed the creation of a national database of DNA profiles from persons convicted of crimes, as well as the analysis of DNA samples recovered from crime scenes and identified human remains. DNA profiles collected from federal arrestees are now included into this database, as well as samples from individuals whose collection was authorized under state law. Currently, states differ on their guidelines for DNA collection–depending on whether the individual has been convicted or only arrested, for example, and the severity of the crime under investigation.In any case, the DNA profiles collected as part of our paternity testing services are not covered in the scope of the CODIS database.

For more information about privacy in DNA paternity testing, or to consult confidentially with our DNA specialists, please visit our website or call us at 1-800-613-5768.