Discreet Samples In Paternity Testing
Sometimes a parent taking the test may wish to act more discreetly, in order to save others or the children from unnecessary stress and anxiety, if taking a buccal mouth swab sample is too difficult, DNA Test is also able to test discreet samples.
Discreet samples:
Blood stained garments, chewing gum, cigarette butt, licked envelope, licked stamp, semen stain, skin tissue, toothbrush, fingernail clippings, snotty tissue, hair, earwax on cotton bud, used band aid. When handling discreet samples, it is important not to contaminate samples.
| Sample | Extraction Success | |
|---|---|---|
| Blood on Filter paper | i.e. Whatman, Matrix or Parchment; less than 60 days old | 90% or higher |
| Blood stain on fabric | Includes bandage, gauze, tissue paper, napkin | 60 – 90% |
| Bone | Femur or humorous bone, at least 8 – 10cm in length. For Forensic cases only | less than 20% |
| Bone Marrow | Fresh (collected within 30 days) or frozen. No marrow on slides or in paraffin | 90% or higher |
| Bones from exhumed body | For Forensic cases only | less than 20% |
| Chewing gum | Bubble Gum – preferred sugarless | 60% or less |
| Cigarette butts | Depends on type and brand | 60% or less |
| Condom | Depends on storage. Seal and submit in clean envelope | 60% or less |
| Diabetic Test Strip | Submit at least 5 strips | 60 – 90% |
| Drinking Straw | Submit in clean unused envelope | 60% or less |
| Ear Wax | Submit at least 3 on ear buds | 60 – 90% |
| Envelope Flaps | Depends on age of envelope and how it was sealed | 60% or less |
| Fetal Demise | Reference sample from mother is required | 60 – 90% |
| Hair with roots | Ensure roots are present. Submitt at least 5 hair strands. Shed or cut hair will not work | 60% or less |
| Mucus | Submit on facial tissue, napkin or paper towel | 60% or less |
| Razor – shaver | Submit entire blade, electric or disposable | 60% or less |
| Semen | Frozen vial (Sperm Bank) or fresh swab | 90% or higher |
| Semen stain on fabric | Area should be indicated on fabric | 60 – 90% |
| Soda Can / drinking glass / plastic container | Swab well with cotton swab or send sample with area clearly marked | 60% or less |
| Tampon / Feminine Pad | Submit in clean unused envelope | 60% or less |
| Tissue (muscle, organ) embalmed | Deceased has been embalmed; tissue in formalin or formaldehyde will not be accepted | 60% or less |
| Tissue (muscle, organ) non-embalmed | Depends on age and storage conditions | 60 – 90% |
| Tissue Sample | Parafin embedded – submit parafin block or slides | 60% or less |
| Tooth | For Forensic cases only | less than 20% |
| Toothbrush | Submit in clean unused envelope | 60% or less |
| Umbilical Cord | Reference sample from mother is required | 60 – 90% |
When sending a discrete sample please note that we try our utmost to extract a viable sample for testing. However it is up to you to ensure that the sample meets the above requirements. There is a R 1700.00 viability charge for discrete sample testing. Should the sample not be viable we will request new samples, a further R 1700.00 charge will be incurred.
For forensic case samples a minimum R 16000.00 charge applies.
Please contact our offices for further information.
