DNA testing

misspointy

Has anyone had any experience with DNA testing? As its something that i need to do and wondering how reliable etc some of the cheaper home DNA testing kits are. Prices are ranging from £99 upwards to around £400 for a court approved test which apparently has two people test the DNA where the non court approved tests have one person determine results. Any help??
thanks.

shazrobo

my sons have had DNA testing done to settle whether they were in fact identical or not. it was a reasearch group doing a very long study of twins which we are involved in. they supplied the tests, and all i had to do was take swabs from inside their mouths, under their gums

doraexplorer

my friend bought one off the internet not court approved for about 200 pounds. also swabs inside the mouth and was back in 10 days. somewhere in england. only swabbed 2 people. father -son

hth

[Deleted User]

We did DNA tests on ourselves at uni (was a genetics degree)

Mine didn't work. i'm still trying to decide if i'm a robot or a poor geneticist...

Hapless_2

If you need it for paternity reasons then go throught he court. especially if you get legal aid as it should cover the cost of the test.
If legal aid hadn't covered ours then it would have been £150 per test (poss father-child). A test is only legal once sanctioned via courts and solicitors and taken by an independant GP.

Bossyboots

The problem with home tests is the "chain of evidence". You have to be able to show that the swab was taken from the person named and that it was not contaminated. I can't think right now how any test done yourself can possibly be admissable evidence.

You don't need it to be court ordered to make it legal but you do need to have it done properly. This does mean the swab being taken by someone on the approved list of qualifications but this does not necessarily have to be a GP and it does not need to be an independent GP either. The person being swabbed can have it done by their own GP which actually makes the identification issue even firmer, although they would still have to provide two photographs and proof of who they are. The GP will usually make a charge for taking the swab. The practice nurse could do it or even a solicitor but again, a charge will be made.

Unless it is done by one of the court recognised companies then again, it might not be admissable evidence.

It might be easier if the OP explained why they want the test done to be able to point them in the direction of a company that has a proven track record.

puffinmuffin

Will the results have any legal consequences ie child maintenance, custody etc? I work in a DNA lab (not id testing) and £99 sounds suspiciously cheap to me for a test.

mookiandco

The company widely used for the purposes of court proceedings is www.cellmark.co.uk

FriendlyJ

Hiya misspointy
You have to be careful where you go for the test if you want to use it for anything legal then you need to go to an authorised & approved company - I have a list at work if you would like I will pm you tomorrow with some numbers.
J

misspointy

Well I need the test done as when i was a young teenager i slept with two people and got myself pregnant...:o .yes i know i done wrong but its happened. My daughter is now nearly 15 and would like to know her real father....i have a partner who has looked after her now since she was 2...so maintenance isnt really necessary.
It needs to be done for her knowledge and piece of mind. One of the men in question is willing to have the test, the other doenst want to know. I really dont know what to do for the best.
I think its possible to have it done through the CSA which could be a better idea.

Thanks for the replies. Friendly J those numbers would be good. thx

ailuro2

Going through the CSA would likely open a can of worms re-maintenance which you say you don't want.

If one of the potential fathers is happy to take the test, then use a middle of the range one that recommends it for your purpose, then see what happens from there.

Well done for being honest with your daughter about her beginnings, and for supporting her in finding out about her 'real' father- it does sound like she has a great Dad at home too.