Home DNA Test

Used in high-profile criminal investigations and paternity cases, deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly known as DNA, testing has now been popularized to prove relationships between individuals. The evolution of the test in past years has turned DNA testing into a popular tool for determining ancestry. The test also helps in determining if two people are related or descend from the same ancestor. Although DNA has been around for many years now, the cost has dropped enough to be affordable to average individuals interested in tracing their roots.

Using a home DNA test kit is very straightforward and requires so little expertise, that a child could carry out the procedure. In broad terms all that is required, is the removal of some cheek cells from the inside of the mouth by rubbing the cotton swabs on the inside of the mouth. A few gentle rubs of the serrated cotton swab on the inside of both cheeks should result in sufficient material being recovered to allow a full DNA paternity test to be carried out. It is important that a single DNA kit is used only for one person, to ensure there can be no possibility of a mix-up between samples. This will ensure the reliability of the final result.

The samples can be posted back via mail and within a span of one month an individual can receive a series of numbers that represent key chemical ""markers"" within his DNA. These numbers can then be compared to results from other individuals to help determine ancestry.

Samples are generally mailed back to the testing company to carry out a full DNA analysis, generally resulting in a report within a few weeks. The report should provide a clear unambiguous outcome to answer the question as to the biological relationship of the putative father to the child.

If the results of the DNA testing are to be used in a court of law, and require a legal standing, a home DNA test is not usually admissible. A much more rigorous approach in verifying the source of every sample is required. The process of obtaining the samples is witnessed and fully documented, including taking photographs of all the parties associated with each sample. This continuity is maintained with the laboratory environment, and allows an expert witness to provide an opinion in court, as to the relevance of the test results.