Home paternity tests are for informational purposes only and are normally performed in the comfort of your home, office or anywhere you deem private. Unfortunately, At home DNA tests do not require that a chain of custody be established. Therefore, this testing option cannot be admissible in court. So the answer is, No. Home DNA Tests are not admissible in court.
What is a chain of custody?
In practice, A chain of custody is a chronological paper trail documenting the DNA sample collection process from the beginning the participants have their samples collected to the completion of your samples being tested. In some instances, if your results need to be shipped to a judge or immigration office. The tracking details will be apart of the chain of custody process.
When should I use a Home DNA Test?
Normally, At Home DNA Tests are used for informational purposes to help determine a biological relationship such as paternity, sibling relationships to help determine if the siblings share the same biological father or mother, or grandparent DNA test between 1 or both grandparents with their alleged grandchild.
Many times if one person does not want to perform a DNA test and, the other party wants to perform a DNA test. The person who wants to perform a DNA test will do it discreetly. Some of the most common testing options are DNA testing with hair follicles, DNA testing with a toothbrush, DNA testing with a kleenex or handkerchief, DNA testing with a stained blood sample like bandaids or blood on a tissue. The industry term to refer to this type of DNA test is called Forensic DNA Testing. Please contact our office today to learn more about our Forensic DNA Testing options at 866-205-8356 to get started. Remember, we are here to help.
What makes a DNA test a legal DNA testing result?
As stated earlier, A legal DNA test requires that a chain of custody be established. Here are some of the things you will experience when performing a legal DNA test.
1. All DNA samples must be completed by an unbiased third-party DNA sample collector.
2. A chain of custody form will be completed and signed
3. Picture of all parties involved with your DNA test will be taken.
4. It should be noted that each person over the age of 18 years of age must walk with their state-issued identification. For immigration DNA testing sample collections you will need to supply the request for evidence paperwork sent to the petitioner’s home requesting additional secondary evidence with DNA testing as an option.
5. When a DNA collector is done collecting your samples. The collector will place the completed contents into a shipping envelope in front of the tested parties to be shipped.
6. The collector is also responsible for the coordination of the shipment of your genetic samples to the laboratory for genetic analysis.
If you would like to learn more about our Home DNA testing services please do not hesitate to contact our office today at 866-205-8356 or visit our DNA testing services page here.