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Q: If an alleged father is drawn for one case, but his results are
needed in another case, can his findings be used in both cases?
A: At Peace of Mind Genetics the privacy of the involved parties is strictly
maintained. Samples or results from a previous case will be used only if the
alleged father agrees or there is a court order.
Q: How easy is it to schedule an appointment?
A: You can utilize the contact us page on this site and enter your
information. In the comments area, please enter desired appointment time
and date. You will then receive an e-mail confirming your appointment. Or if
you prefer, you can call (314) 714-5DNA (5362) and set an appointment by
phone.
Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: We operate by appointment only. This allows us to work around our
clients’ schedules no matter what time, even on weekends.
Q: Can reliable testing be performed when the parties are drawn at
different times?
A: Specimens from parties being evaluated together for paternity testing do
not have to be obtained at the same time. Specimens are maintained
securely until all needed for case resolution are received.
Q: Can sources of specimens be different within a case, such as a
buccal swab from the child and blood from the adults?
A: DNA testing can use different sources because DNA markers are the
same in all of the body's nucleated cells. One exception is bone marrow
transplant recipients. Buccal swabs should be used anytime a person being
tested has had a bone marrow transplant.
Q: How long are buccal specimens good for future testing?
A: At Peace of Mind Genetics, we and our designated laboratory partners
have had excellent results in testing buccal swabs over two years old.
Based on the success of testing dried blood stains, we anticipate that dried
buccal specimens will offer many years of stability.
Q: Are you collecting saliva for testing when a buccal swab is done?
A: Although some saliva is contained on the buccal swabs, one is actually
collecting epithelial cells off the cheeks inside the mouth (buccal cavity).
Q: Won't the buccal swabs be contaminated since they are collected
from the mouth?
A: The DNA testing performed is not affected by the DNA of bacteria,
common foods, tobacco, or toothpaste, etc.
Q: How does a buccal swab sample differ from a blood sample?
A: For purposes of identity testing, there is no difference in DNA derived
from buccal swabs or blood.
Q: Is the re-collection rate higher with buccal swabs?
A: Peace of Mind Genetics has not experienced a higher re-collection rate
for buccal swab specimens. In Peace of Mind Genetics' experience the re-
collection rate appears lower than re-collections for traditional blood testing.
Q: What are the procedures to prevent a mismatch of samples?
A: Buccal swab collection is performed using different colored swabs for
the mother, child and alleged father to minimize specimen mishandling.
Q: How many test systems (loci) should be run?
A: The multiple genetic systems selected for routine testing by laboratory
designated by Peace of Mind Genetics, exclude on average 99.99% of
falsely named men from paternity.
Q: Are paternity tests valid when performed on a child under the age
of six months?
A: Yes, as long as certain tests are avoided. The American Association of
Blood Banks (AABB) specifically states that children less than six months of
age may not be tested for the serum proteins Gm and Km. Our designated
laboratory does not perform these tests. Other tests can be accurately
performed on children under six months of age, including red cell antigens,
leukocyte antigens (HLA), and DNA.
Q: Is there a six-month age requirement for infants?
A: No. The six-month delay was a common procedure because of the
difficulty of drawing blood from small infants and due to the AABB
requirement stated above. However, buccal swab specimen collection has
eliminated the difficulty of drawing blood.
Q: If a child is under six months, can DNA testing be done using a
specimen other than blood?
A: Buccal swabs or cord blood collected at birth can be used and allow for
rapid and reliable testing regardless of age.
Q: Why can't a simple genetic test, conducted in a physician's office,
be used to determine paternity?
A: Genetic analysis is more complex than most physician office
laboratories are capable of handling.
Q: Can paternity be established for a deceased alleged father?
A: If blood or buccal swabs are collected from the alleged father at the time
of death, and shipped immediately, standard testing can be performed. If
the alleged father is deceased, his parents can be tested to determine
whether they may be grandparents. An alternative is to generate paternity
reports based on transplant lists (such as heart, kidney or bone marrow),
HLA typing, tissue specimens from previous surgeries, or blood types from
medical records. Alleged fathers who die in motor vehicle accidents often
have specimens collected for toxicology studies. Such specimens or tissue
samples from autopsy, obtained from the coroner's office, are successfully
used to determine parentage. In addition, the body can be exhumed and a
tissue sample removed for testing.
Q: Can paternity testing be done without testing the mother?
A: Paternity testing can be performed if the mother is not available although
additional laboratory processing is necessary. The mother's parents may
also be tested to improve the statistical evaluation or confirm maternity.
Q: Will testing also show if the mother is excluded from maternity?
A: Although rare, several confirmed cases of non-maternity have been
found during routine paternity testing.
Q: If the mother and alleged father are related, does this make any
difference in the testing?
A: No. When mother and alleged father are related, the testing is still valid.
Q: If two alleged fathers are related (brother-brother, father-son, or
nephew-uncle), is the testing valid?
A: Peace of Mind Genetics must be notified if the relationship because it is
possible for both men to have the same or similar genetic markers, even
when DNA analysis is performed. Extended testing may have to be
performed until one man is excluded. Related alleged fathers should be
tested at the same time until one is excluded.
needed in another case, can his findings be used in both cases?
A: At Peace of Mind Genetics the privacy of the involved parties is strictly
maintained. Samples or results from a previous case will be used only if the
alleged father agrees or there is a court order.
Q: How easy is it to schedule an appointment?
A: You can utilize the contact us page on this site and enter your
information. In the comments area, please enter desired appointment time
and date. You will then receive an e-mail confirming your appointment. Or if
you prefer, you can call (314) 714-5DNA (5362) and set an appointment by
phone.
Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: We operate by appointment only. This allows us to work around our
clients’ schedules no matter what time, even on weekends.
Q: Can reliable testing be performed when the parties are drawn at
different times?
A: Specimens from parties being evaluated together for paternity testing do
not have to be obtained at the same time. Specimens are maintained
securely until all needed for case resolution are received.
Q: Can sources of specimens be different within a case, such as a
buccal swab from the child and blood from the adults?
A: DNA testing can use different sources because DNA markers are the
same in all of the body's nucleated cells. One exception is bone marrow
transplant recipients. Buccal swabs should be used anytime a person being
tested has had a bone marrow transplant.
Q: How long are buccal specimens good for future testing?
A: At Peace of Mind Genetics, we and our designated laboratory partners
have had excellent results in testing buccal swabs over two years old.
Based on the success of testing dried blood stains, we anticipate that dried
buccal specimens will offer many years of stability.
Q: Are you collecting saliva for testing when a buccal swab is done?
A: Although some saliva is contained on the buccal swabs, one is actually
collecting epithelial cells off the cheeks inside the mouth (buccal cavity).
Q: Won't the buccal swabs be contaminated since they are collected
from the mouth?
A: The DNA testing performed is not affected by the DNA of bacteria,
common foods, tobacco, or toothpaste, etc.
Q: How does a buccal swab sample differ from a blood sample?
A: For purposes of identity testing, there is no difference in DNA derived
from buccal swabs or blood.
Q: Is the re-collection rate higher with buccal swabs?
A: Peace of Mind Genetics has not experienced a higher re-collection rate
for buccal swab specimens. In Peace of Mind Genetics' experience the re-
collection rate appears lower than re-collections for traditional blood testing.
Q: What are the procedures to prevent a mismatch of samples?
A: Buccal swab collection is performed using different colored swabs for
the mother, child and alleged father to minimize specimen mishandling.
Q: How many test systems (loci) should be run?
A: The multiple genetic systems selected for routine testing by laboratory
designated by Peace of Mind Genetics, exclude on average 99.99% of
falsely named men from paternity.
Q: Are paternity tests valid when performed on a child under the age
of six months?
A: Yes, as long as certain tests are avoided. The American Association of
Blood Banks (AABB) specifically states that children less than six months of
age may not be tested for the serum proteins Gm and Km. Our designated
laboratory does not perform these tests. Other tests can be accurately
performed on children under six months of age, including red cell antigens,
leukocyte antigens (HLA), and DNA.
Q: Is there a six-month age requirement for infants?
A: No. The six-month delay was a common procedure because of the
difficulty of drawing blood from small infants and due to the AABB
requirement stated above. However, buccal swab specimen collection has
eliminated the difficulty of drawing blood.
Q: If a child is under six months, can DNA testing be done using a
specimen other than blood?
A: Buccal swabs or cord blood collected at birth can be used and allow for
rapid and reliable testing regardless of age.
Q: Why can't a simple genetic test, conducted in a physician's office,
be used to determine paternity?
A: Genetic analysis is more complex than most physician office
laboratories are capable of handling.
Q: Can paternity be established for a deceased alleged father?
A: If blood or buccal swabs are collected from the alleged father at the time
of death, and shipped immediately, standard testing can be performed. If
the alleged father is deceased, his parents can be tested to determine
whether they may be grandparents. An alternative is to generate paternity
reports based on transplant lists (such as heart, kidney or bone marrow),
HLA typing, tissue specimens from previous surgeries, or blood types from
medical records. Alleged fathers who die in motor vehicle accidents often
have specimens collected for toxicology studies. Such specimens or tissue
samples from autopsy, obtained from the coroner's office, are successfully
used to determine parentage. In addition, the body can be exhumed and a
tissue sample removed for testing.
Q: Can paternity testing be done without testing the mother?
A: Paternity testing can be performed if the mother is not available although
additional laboratory processing is necessary. The mother's parents may
also be tested to improve the statistical evaluation or confirm maternity.
Q: Will testing also show if the mother is excluded from maternity?
A: Although rare, several confirmed cases of non-maternity have been
found during routine paternity testing.
Q: If the mother and alleged father are related, does this make any
difference in the testing?
A: No. When mother and alleged father are related, the testing is still valid.
Q: If two alleged fathers are related (brother-brother, father-son, or
nephew-uncle), is the testing valid?
A: Peace of Mind Genetics must be notified if the relationship because it is
possible for both men to have the same or similar genetic markers, even
when DNA analysis is performed. Extended testing may have to be
performed until one man is excluded. Related alleged fathers should be
tested at the same time until one is excluded.
Peace of Mind Genetics
314-714-5DNA (5362) or 800-621-1740
Peace of Mind begins with the truth. We'll Give you Both.
314-714-5DNA (5362) or 800-621-1740
Peace of Mind begins with the truth. We'll Give you Both.