Frequently Asked Questions About Our DNA Testing Services

Our mobile DNA test sample collections are conducted by trained sample collectors via non-invasive, painless buccal (cheek) swabs. You may choose the time of and the location for your sample collection. We can provide our mobile DNA test service at your home, office, hospital, or other location. Testing of collected samples is performed by an AABB-accredited laboratory. 

An AABB-trained sample collector will collect your DNA sample using proper chain-of-custody procedures (for legal DNA test purposes).

To schedule testing services with MOBILE DNA GROUP, simply fill out the contact form on our website or contact us directly via phone or email. We will work with you to schedule a date and time that works best for your project.

Your DNA test sample will be processed by a partner laboratory accredited by AABB to conduct legal, chain-of-custody testing.

Within 2-3 business days, you will receive an email with your DNA test results. You can pay an extra fee to have the results returned quicker as well.

The sample collection in a personal paternity screening tests are completed by the individuals involved in the test in the privacy of the homes. The photographs, finger printing and strict chain of custody are not implemented thus making the results inadmissible in a court of law. The alleles (genes) examined, accuracy, and the results are identical to the legal paternity test. The personal paternity screening test is for circumstances where legal proceedings are not needed. The results of a personal paternity screening test can not be used in a cour t of law.

A buccal swab is a specialized applicator with a sponge or Dacron tip, which is rubbed on the inside of the check to collect epithelial cells. This procedure is noninvasive and pain free.

No, DNA test results are the same because the DNA is the same in all nucleated cells of a person’s body. We use the most readily available source of DNA for paternity testing. The DNA we use is located inside the mouth, buccal cells. Every cell in body, except for red blood cells, contains the same DNA. Red bloods do not contain DNA. All DNA containing cells, including cells from buccal swabs, hair follicles and urine specimens, are suitable specimens for DNA analysis (1-3).

No, the swabs may contain bacteria and food but the tests are very specific for human DNA. The DNA from bacteria, food, or other organisms will not affect the tests.

No, the collection of umbilical cord blood at birth or the use of buccal swabs allows for testing at any age. Before DNA technology became prevalent the only way to determine paternity was to analyze Human Luekocyte Antigen (HLA). HLAs are only expressed on red and white blood cell therefore, you had to use blood and you could not collect blood until the child was six month old.

Yes, the identification, (photos and fingerprints), strict chain of custody and documented procedures produce results that are admissible in a court of law. In addition, expert witness services can be arranged.

Yes, all client information as well as the test results are strictly confidential. No information is released except to persons directly involved in the test or to courts or regulatory agencies.

Tests can be paid for by Cash, debit or credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Master Card, American Express, or Zelle. DNA Testing must be paid prior to administering test.

Legal photo identification (e.g. drivers license, State ID card, passport).

Establishing paternity is important for many reasons, including:

• Gaining legal rights to child support, child custody, Social Security benefits and inheritance.
• Identifying links to genetic disorders that can affect your long-term health, including cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome and certain types of cancer.
• Helping a child learn more about their family history.

Most DNA paternity tests use a cheek swab to collect a DNA sample from the potential father. They’ll use a cotton swab to collect cheek (buccal) cells from the inside of your mouth. At least an hour before the cheek swab, it’s a good idea to avoid:

• Brushing your teeth.
• Using mouthwash.
• Putting in dentures.
• Smoking or using chewing tobacco (dip).

These may affect the quality of your cheek swab.

In some cases, a DNA paternity test may require a blood sample. Before a blood test, a provider may recommend that you:

• Drink extra fluids.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Moisturize your arms.
• Do some gentle exercises to help boost your blood pressure.

If you’re pregnant, you may need an ultrasound before a DNA paternity test to confirm how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age of the fetus).

Our paternity test uses 21 genetic markers for absolute peace of mind. Positive results are more than 99.99% accurate whilst negative results are 100% accurate.

Most DNA tests simply involve testing cheek cells. These cheek cells are collected by rubbing a mouth swab on the inside the cheeks of the person taking part in the test. This buccal swab – like a cotton bud, but bigger – painlessly collects cells from the inside of the mouth, from which DNA is extracted.

The swabs are then sealed in sample collection envelopes and sent off to the laboratory performing the test.

DNA samples used for peace of mind tests are destroyed after results have been issued. Samples used for a court admissible test are retained for 6 months after issuing results before being destroyed.

Our partner laboratory is inspected once a year for their ISO accreditation and every 2 years for their AABB accreditation. As part of these external assessments, individuals who are not associated with the laboratory review their procedures and processes. Part of these inspections include a review of their client retention policies and procedures regarding disposal of client data, which must be done in a way that protects client privacy.

A court admissible DNA test can be used as evidence of a relationship in legal proceedings, for changing a birth certificate or when applying for a visa or passport.

Samples must be collected by an independent third party, such as a doctor or nurse, who will verify ID and confirm that samples have been taken from the correct participants before sending them directly to the laboratory.

This secure process is known as a “chain of custody”. This is a watertight process, during which the evidence, in this case the DNA samples, cannot be interfered with.

Nursing puppies can be tested. They should be separated from the dam for about an hour before swabbing their cheeks. This ensures no milk will be in their mouths to possibly contaminate the sample and that we get the puppy’s DNA instead of the Mom’s DNA.

It is important that all dogs to be tested do not eat or drink anything for an hour prior to taking the swabs, or have contact with any toys or bones used by other dogs, to reduce the chance of cross contamination.