DNA samples for a paternity Test

There are a whole range of samples you can test for a DNA paternity test. Also, testing methodology today means that sometimes you can use tiny samples or even samples that may have been exposed to certain conditions that may have affected the DNA by breaking it down or degrading the DNA.

A saliva DNA sample

A saliva DNA samples is the standard method for collecting DNA in a paternity DNA test. The sample in this case is collected by rubbing an oral swab inside the mouth, around the cheeks and under the tongue. Once you have done this, you have your DNA- cells from your mouth are stuck to the swab and scientists can extract the DNA from these cells and go on to determine paternity.

Other DNA samples

There are a whole range of samples you can use to extract DNA for a DNA test for paternity.  These might include teeth, blood or semen stains, nails and cigarette ends. Unfortunately, not all samples are suitable. For example, you cannot use urine. A urine sample and DNA testing is just not possible. Forget using urine for a DNA paternity test; hair is another misleading sample- there is not DNA in the shaft of a hair- so any hair you find on the floor or the bath is not good- unless perhaps it has been plucked out and the hair has the follicle- if the follicle is attached to the hair than no problem.

DNA paternity testing can be done with accuracy with a whole range of samples. The sample you use doesn’t affect the accuracy of test results. Once the sample has provided a whole DNA profile, than the paternity test will give you accurate results.