We can help you set up a test anywhere. We have many friends in the industry who share our commitment to customer satisfaction.
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Here’s how we make it EASY and Efficient
Your case is opened, managed and closed by a single person. When you call you’ll speak to a DNA scientist who will help you choose a test that is best for you. Your dedicated DNA scientist will set up your appointment and if you choose to be collected at one of our three offices you’ll meet them at your appointment. Meeting the person you are talking to face to face is a novel experience in today’s digital age, we know. But we like it. At your appointment your dedicated DNA scientist will collect your samples and help you fill out your paperwork. When your results are ready you will receive them directly from that same person! If you call at any time with questions our state of the art phone system will route your call directly to your DNA scientist. It’s EASY because you really should only have to deal with one person.
Here’s how we make it Affordable
Our current flat rates are listed here. There are no hidden fees. In most cases shipping is included but if it’s not we PROMISE to tell you up front. We also accept very easy payment plans. For information on a payment plan click here to view the terms. All appointments require a low deposit of $50. If we miss your appointment we’ll not only refund your money we’ll pay you $25.
Here’s how we make it Accurate
We’d love to tell you all about the 99% accuracy buzz here, but we’d be lying, and we don’t do that. Instead we’ll make a proclamation. We’ve never been wrong. We’ve never mixed anything up and we don’t plan to in the future. The truth about DNA testing accuracy is that it’s all in your DNA. The accuracy of a DNA test is a statistic. And over 99% of all statistics are made up on the spot, including the statistic that I just made up. There is another more important result on a DNA test that we’d be glad to explain. Feel free to give us a call, and we can discuss accuracy in a way that doesn’t include percentages.
Q: How do you pronounce the word that DNA stands for?
A: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
D - oxi - rye - bow - new - clay - ic acid
Q: What is the difference between a PCR test and an RFLP test?
A: PCR is Polymerase Chain Reaction
more information here: PCR
RFLP is Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
more information here: RFLP
PCR is a much more efficient and accurate testing platform. RFLP is old and antiquated, as such it is not used by advanced DNA laboratories
Q: How is the probability of paternity or probability of relatedness calculated?
A: These percentages (99% or 0%) are calculated by dividing the combined paternity index (also called the combined likelihood ratio) by itself plus one, then multiplying the result by 100 to give a percentage.
This simple equation shows that the really important number in paternity is not the percentage (probability) but the combined paternity index.
Q: How does including the mother in a test increase the accuracy of the test?
A: Every child will match their mother at 1/2 of their DNA. If we use the mother in the test we are able to determine which pieces of the DNA must come from the father. We decrease the number of pieces we must compare from 32 to 16. Instead of guessing which pieces might have come from the mother we know.
*** It is possible to falsely include the father when the mother is not included.
Q: What if two men, who are identical twins, could be the father?
A: Every person's DNA profile should occur only one time in every 100 billion persons. However, twins are the exception. Identical twins are genetically identical. Identical twins have identical DNA profiles. Scientists are currently unable to distinguish between twins.
If you are unsure which twin could be the father, the first step is to test one of them. Next you should consult a legal expert.
Q: Why is the race or ethnicity of the parents included in a DNA test?
A: When calculating the paternity or relationship index part of the calculation involves using a profile frequency. These frequencies differ by race. Choosing the most correct race will increase the accuracy of the test result.
Q: What if you have had a blood transfusion? Could this change the test results?
A: The possibility of a blood transfusion affecting your test results is very slim, but possible. When you receive another persons blood, you have their DNA and your own DNA in your body. If during testing, both DNA samples are detected your laboratory results will not be usable. If you have received a blood transfusion more than 90 days ago, it will not affect your results.
*The AABB requires an answer to this question for all legal tests.
**Bone marrow transplants WILL affect results.
Q: What is a mutation?
A: A genetic mutation is a very small difference between the parent's DNA and the child's DNA. A mutation that occurs at the parts of DNA that are tested during identity testing do not make you have special powers like the X-Men. Nor do they cause you to have a disease.
*Mutations will change test results and to provide a 99% or 0% test, it may be necessary to perform further testing.
Q: What is the AABB?
A: The AABB is the American Association of Blood Banks. They originated as a means of standardizing the acts of donating and storing blood. Before DNA testing, paternity was determined by comparing blood components. Hence the AABB is the group who oversees relationship testing labs.
*The AABB only oversees LEGAL tests, they are not involved in private testing. There is no such thing as an AABB private test.
Q: Do you test saliva?
A: Saliva is a liquid that is made of 98% water. There is no DNA in your saliva, just as there is no DNA in a rock.
*Your skin is collected from the inside of your mouth, the saliva in your mouth helps your skin stick to dry cotton swabs that are used during collection. DNA is extracted from your skin cells and the test is performed on DNA, not on saliva.
