Collecting Samples for an In-Home Test

When you order an in-home test, you will receive a DNA collection kit containing the following (unless you chose the Make Your Own Kit option):

• Detailed instructions for collecting the DNA samples.

• Sterile Dacron synthetic swabs—these are specially designed cotton-like swabs that ensure proper collection of DNA for paternity testing. Unlike the regular cotton Q-tips used by other laboratories, the polyester made by Dacron provides a consistent surface for collecting DNA samples.

• Swab storage envelopes—These provide a dry environment for the shipment of your swab samples to our DNA testing laboratory, helping to avoid sample contamination by molds and bacteria.

• A business reply envelope for sending the samples back to our lab.

The procedure for sample collection is simple:

1. Remove one buccal swab envelope from the kit and complete the requested information on the swab envelope.

• Buccal swab envelopes are labeled for the Child and the Alleged Father (for a paternity test kit).

• Other envelopes are provided for the rest of the tested parties. You will need to indicate whose samples are in these envelopes—Mother, Child #2, Alleged Father #2, and others.

• Be sure to provide race information, which is needed for statistical analysis.  

2. Take the swabs (packaged in plastic) from the envelope and open the package at the end opposite from the swab tip.

• Do not touch the swab tips.

• There are 4 swabs in the packet, two each for the left and right cheeks.

• Discard the plastic wrapper—do not use it to return the swabs to our laboratory.

3. Collect the samples.

1. Open the mouth wide.
2. Insert a swab into mouth and rub it firmly back and forth, and up and down on the inside of the cheek, rotating the swab while rubbing to ensure enough cheek cells are collected.
3. Use two swabs each for the left and right cheeks.

4. Place the used swabs in the corresponding envelope.

• Do not place the swabs in plastic. Doing so will promote the growth of molds during transport of the sample to our laboratory.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for each tested party.

6. Place all sample envelopes in the business reply envelope provided and send it back with your payment to our laboratory.