Frequently Asked Questions
Our list of FAQs tackles some of the most common questions and queries you might have about our DNA tests. This page should help resolve most issues; however, we do urge you to contact us should you require anything further!
How much does a paternity test cost?
The cost of a paternity test is of £99. There are no extra fees.
You mention accreditation on your website. Can you tell me a bit more about this?
ISO 17025 accreditation is a type of certification which testifies to the technical competencies of a laboratory. It involves applying specific procedures and criteria by trained specialist assessors who evaluate a laboratory's performance and its ability to provide accurate data from precise testing procedures, using properly calibrated instrumentation.
What prices can I expect to pay for a DNA test?
The price of a specific test is dependent on the test being taken. It will also depend on the number of persons participating and the nature of the sample sent for testing. Details of prices are provided on our website
What are your payment options?
You pay when you order the test by means of a personal cheque, postal orders, bank draft or credit cards (Visa or MasterCard). Our payment option page provides more detailed information.
What is the turnaround time for your results?
You should expect to receive your DNA test results within 3-5 working days after we receive the samples. Paternity test results can be expedited if you select the express DNA testing option. With this service, you will get your results in 3-4 working days as opposed to getting them in the standard 3-5.
As we offer a wide range of DNA tests, the turnaround times for different tests will vary. We recommend checking individual test pages for more information or contacting our customer service team if the information is not readily available.
How does a paternity test work?
A paternity test compares the DNA profile of two individuals. A child's DNA is inherited from the mother and the father, and a comparison of the DNA of the child with that of the alleged father can determine whether that person is the biological father or not. We supply a DNA testing kit along with comprehensive instructions on how to use it (our DNA Sample Collection Guide). The guide is included with the kit, and is also published on our website. Once the samples have been returned to our laboratory, the tests are carried out and the results sent back to you.
How accurate is the paternity test?
The easyDNA test offers results that are 99.99% accurate. This is based on 16 different DNA markers and is 100 times more accurate than a court would require as proof of whether or not a particular person is or is not the father of a child.
Do I need to include the mother’s sample for a paternity test?
Although the mother's DNA will help to strengthen the results, the type of test carried out by easyDNA is sufficiently accurate without requiring the mother's sample to be included. Without the mother's sample, the probability inclusion of paternity is at least 99.9% (in cases where the tested alleged father is the biological father). With the mother's sample, this percentage goes up to 99.99% or higher).
Will the DNA test kit arrive discreetly?
Yes: the envelope will not have our company name or logo on it. Inside your kit you will also have a plain envelope in which to return the test samples back to us.
Can you send kits to different locations?
DNA testing kits can be sent to different addresses if required by our client. In fact, we are frequently asked to send samples to different addresses in different countries. We own a number of offices around the world, and typically dispatch the kits to the office nearest to the recipient's address before proceeding to deliver them locally from there. There is an extra charge for these extra kits which vary according to where it has to be delivered.
Each kit is assigned its own case number. Unless required that individual samples be tested separately, no tests will be carried out until all of the samples associated with a particular case have been logged and received at the laboratory. We advise you to email us at [email protected] to make sure that your needs can be met and that we fully understand your requirements before placing your order.
Can my DNA test be used in court?
Not unless you have ordered a court admissible or legal DNA test. A legal test is different to home tests in that it involves a third-party person appointed to collect the samples and verify the identity of the test participants. People being sampled for the test must provide proof of identity. Then, the samples have to be transported securely to an accredited laboratory for testing. A standard home test is only for 'curiosity' or 'peace of mind', the results have no legal standing.
What is the Chain of Custody procedure?
"Chain of Custody" refers to the sequence of chronological procedures carried out to ensure the identity of the DNA samples being tested. These samples have to be strictly guarded throughout the entire process to ensure they are not tampered with or mixed up with other samples. Refer to our Chain of Custody definition.
Is there any difference between a maternity test and a paternity test?
Maternity testing and paternity testing are the same, both in regards to how the test is carried out and in the price charged by easyDNA. The only difference is in the labeling: 'Alleged Mother' rather than 'Alleged Father' as well as the aims: one test is essentially proof of maternity whilst the other is proof of paternity.
What happens to my samples after you test them?
The length of time for which we retain the samples depends on the type of test. Samples involved in a court admissible DNA test have to be kept for six months, at no further charge. Otherwise, we destroy the samples immediately after you have been sent the results, unless you ask us to keep them, in which case we would store them for a further 6 months at a storage charge. Please contact us if you wish to take advantage of this service.
What does a DNA paternity test result look like? How can I interpret the result?
Our DNA test results section offers you some examples of what to expect in your DNA paternity test report. Furthermore, we have given you comprehensive information on the interpretation of results.
Can you assure me of total privacy and confidentiality?
Yes. The credit card information you provide us with is protected using the most secure encryption available for financial transactions online: 128 bit Secure Socket layer (SSL) encryption. This encrypts all of your information and we see nothing but the last four digits, used for order confirmation. Our SSL certification is displayed on our order form.
The 128-bit encryption ensures the secure transmission of your card details to your card provider, and we retain nothing. Because of that, you have to re-enter all of your card details if you have to make any additional payments.
From what samples is it possible to extract DNA?
Our standard sample is a buccal swab. Once rubbed inside the mouth, the swab will contain saliva and skin cells. EasyDNA can also test non-standard samples such as semen, blood, hair and nails. We also test DNA taken from items that a subject has been in contact with, such as a handkerchief or tissue, condom, bedding, cigarette butts and chewing gum. Our DNA forensic testing web page offers a price list and list of non-standard samples we can test.
Can you test some hairs for DNA?
Yes, hair DNA testing is possible but only if the follicle, or root, is still attached and if the hair is not too old. The best results are from hairs freshly pulled from the head with the follicle still attached. We prefer at least five hairs in order to maximise our chances of getting a complete DNA profile. Old hair does not give good results unless you request the advanced DNA forensics option. Cut hair cannot be used for testing unless you are ordering an MtDNA test. MtDNA testing or mitochondrial DNA testing does however, have very limited uses. In fact, its sole use is to determine a shared maternal line. The quality of the results increases when increasing freshness.
I need a paternity test but cannot get a sample from the alleged father. Can you help?
It is possible for a relative to be tested if the alleged father refuses. We can, for example, carry out a DNA sibling test or a DNA test between grandparents and grandchildren. If the mother is willing to be tested as well, the results are likely to be much more conclusive.
How long can I keep my samples before sending them to you?
It is possible to store DNA from biological sources such as saliva or blood for a number of years if the sample is properly collected and stored in suitable conditions. A saliva sample taken using a swab, for example, should be allowed to thoroughly dry out before placing the swab in an envelope. This ensure optimal preservation of the DNA in the sample. The older the sample however, the lower are the chances of success. This is something worth keeping in mind.
