DNA TESTING

Who Needs to be Tested?
In most paternity cases, a specimen is collected from the mother, child, and alleged father. Single parent-child identifications are also performed. In cases where the mother is not tested, the child's custodian must authorize testing if the alleged father does not have custody of the tested child. A father's name on a Birth Certificate or a child's last name does not automatically give custody to the father.

Is There an Age Requirement?
DNA Parentage Testing may be performed at any age. The accuracy of the test is not affected by the age of the child or the fetus tested.

What Do Clients Need to Bring to the Appointment?
Strict Chain-of-custody procedures will be followed and polaroid photographs will be taken of all persons at the time of sample collection.

      Adults present for sample collection need to bring:
      1. Picture ID (i.e. driver's license).
      2. Payment for the collection of samples.

      Children present for sample collection need:
      1. Birth certificate, Social Security Card (if available) or crib card.

Must Everyone's Samples be Collected at the Same Time?
No. Samples may be collected at different times and at different locations. However, we recommend that whenever possible, it is best that samples are collected at the same time.

What Type of Test Results Will I Receive?

The GENETICA DNA Test for paternity is the most extensive and accurate DNA test available, with typical power of Exclusion of 99.999999%. 

How Long Before the Results Will Be Available?
In most cases, results are available in approximately 48 hours from the time that all the samples are received in our laboratory.

Our goal at Genetica DNA Laboratories is to provide you with the most technologically advanced and accurate results at a competitive fee. We typically provide one of the quickest turnaround times in the country. However, many factors can influence the timing of the results. We will not sacrifice the quality or the accuracy of your test results in order to give you quick results. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a specific completion date.

How Will I Receive My Results?
Test results will be mailed to all tested adults and to representative(s) they may have listed such as an attorney, physician, agency or a relative. Results may be faxed to a designated legal or medical representative.

DNA & Paternity Testing

To order a test, select the type of DNA test you want to order.   or call 724-726-0230 to get scheduled.  Ask for Tammy
Collection Fees include appointment coordination, professional DNA specimen collections, shipment to the lab and reporting of results.

Accreditations

Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the College of American Pathologists (CAP), The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the Forensic Quality Services-International (FQS-I, ISO/IEC 17025).  Under the accreditation programs of these national organizations, our laboratory regularly undergoes comprehensive in-depth inspections to demonstrate that our operations, management, employees, procedures, instruments, physical plant, and security procedures meet stringent quality standards.  Our laboratory also continuously participates in blind proficiency testing programs issued by these national organizations, as part of our laboratory’s quality control and quality assurance program.

The American Association of Blood Banks
The AABB is the primary organization that has established national procedures and standards for DNA parentage testing and performs on site inspections for the purpose of accreditation. Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. is one of the first DNA testing laboratories in the United States to receive accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks for DNA parentage testing.

The College of American Pathologists 
The College of American Pathologists is the world’s largest organization composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in providing quality improvement programs to laboratories around the world.  Genetica’s doctoral staff served on the Molecular Pathology Resource Committee of the College of the American Pathologists and has played a key role in establishing accreditation standards used by DNA testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada.

 The New York State Department of Health
The NYSDOH conducts programs in comprehensive clinical laboratory evaluation and accreditation in the pursuit of protecting and promoting the health of New Yorkers. The NYSDOH performs extensive on site laboratory inspections and proficiency testing. Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. has been accredited by the NYSDOH for many years.

Forensic Quality Services-International (FQS-I, ISO/IEC 17025)
Forensic Quality Services-International (FQS-I) is the country’s longest established provider of International Standards Organization (ISO) accreditation to Forensic Science testing laboratories in the United States.  It is one of the accrediting bodies recognized by the NDIS Procedures Board (National DNA Index System) and the only one that has successfully completed the rigorous scrutiny of operations required by the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation.