Who needs to be tested?
Mother, One Child, One Alleged Father (AF)
Turnaround Time
4-5 business days from receipt of all samples
NOTE: 2-3 business day is express service which carries an additional fee.
 
Chain-of-Custody Requirements
Chain-of-custody requirements must be fulfilled for test results to be defensible in any legal situation. These requirements include the following:
Samples are collected by a neutral third party, with no interest in the outcome of the results
The individuals tested are positively identified (i.e., they present a government-issued ID to be photocopied and/or they are photographed)
A standard DNA Diagnostics Center kit is used
Each party completes and signs a Client Identification and Consent Form (COC-4002-CA)
Guardianship of tested minor must be verified at the time of signing consent
The kit may not be in the possession of the clients prior to or after being collected
 
Non-Chain-of-Custody Requirements
In a non-chain of custody test, samples are collected by the patients themselves. Results of this test are for personal knowledge only and may not be used for legal purposes.
An in-home kit is used, and buccal samples may be collected by the patients themselves
Since the origin of the samples cannot be verified, names are listed on the report in the same way they are labeled on the samples
A unique barcode is assigned to each kit and appears on the report as a reference for the case
 
Notes
The mother’s participation is encouraged because we can identify the DNA she passed along to the child, with the remaining DNA to be contributed by the biological father.  The average Combined Paternity Index (CPI) of a trio is 1 million, while the average CPI of a motherless case is only 10,000.
A trio paternity test provides the strongest case for use in the courts, where the mother’s involvement is preferred and sometimes required.
If photos or identification are not provided at the time the samples are received at the lab, DDC will notify your office and we require that photos are provided within 24-48 hours of our request.  If they are not received in this time frame, there are two options:  Proceed as a non legal test OR recollect the samples.  If recollecting, please start the collection process from the beginning:  We will need a new chain of custody, new samples and new photos or copies of identification.  This is an AABB guideline and will be STRICTLY enforced.