What does ISO17025 accreditation refer to? Back to top
ISO 17025 accreditation is certification of the technical competence of a laboratory. It involves the application of specific procedures and criteria by trained specialist assessors to evaluate the competence and ability of the laboratory to provide accurate data from precise testing procedures using properly calibrated instrumentation. How much does a test cost? Back to top
The price of a specific test is dependent on the test being taken. It will also depend on the number of persons participating and the nature of the sample sent for testing. Details of prices are provided on the Order DNA Test page. When and how do I pay? Back to top
You pay when you order the test. We can accept personal cheque, postal orders, bank draft or credit cards (Visa or Mastercard). Our Payment Options page provides more information. How soon will I get my DNA test results? Back to top
You should expect to receive your DNA test results within 5 - 7 working days after we receive the samples. Paternity test results can be expedited to within 48 hours of the laboratory receiving your samples if you select the express DNA testing option. It will take a while longer to analyze non-standard samples such as cigarette butts, chewing gum, hair samples and so on, but you can normally expect results within 5-7 days. How does a Paternity Test work? Back to top
A DNA Paternity Test compares the DNA profile of the two individuals. A child's DNA is inherited from the mother and the father, and a comparison of the DNA of the child with that of the prospective father can determine whether that person is the biological father or not. We supply a DNA testing kit along with instructions on how to use it (our DNA Sample Collection Guide). The guide is included with the kit, and is also published on our website. Once the samples have been returned to our laboratory the tests are carried out and results sent back to you. How accurate is the Paternity Test? Back to top
The easyDNA test offers results that are 99.99% accurate. This is based upon 16 different DNA markers and is 100 times more accurate than a court would require as proof of whether or not a particular person was or was not the father of a child. Can a paternity test be performed without the mother? Back to top
Although the mother's DNA would help to strengthen the results, the type of test carried out by easyDNA is sufficiently accurate not to require the mother's sample to be required. Will the DNA test kit arrive discreetly? Back to top
Yes: the envelope will not have our company name or logo on it and you will also receive a plain envelope in which to return the test samples back to us. Can I send separate kits to different addresses? Back to top
DNA Testing Kits can be sent to different addresses if required. In fact we are frequently asked to send samples to different addresses in different countries. We have a number of offices around the world, and normally dispatch the kits to the nearest office to the recipient and then deliver them on locally from there. There is an extra charge for the extra kits that varies according to where it has to be delivered. Each kit is assigned its own tracking code, so that we can track it through our system. Unless it is required that individual samples be tested separately, no tests will be carried until all of the samples associated with a particular case have been logged and received back at the laboratory. We advise you to email us at info@easydna.co.uk to make sure that your needs can be met and that we fully understand your requirements before placing your order. Can my DNA test be used in court? Back to top
Not unless you have ordered a Court Admissible or Legal DNA Test. This test involves a third part appointed to verify the subjects, who must provide proof of identity, and a doctor or other authorized professional to take the tests. The samples then have to be transported securely to an accredited laboratory for testing. easyDNA can organize this for you if you order such a test, and without it your DNA Paternity Test will be only a 'curiosity' or 'peace of mind' test with no legal standing. What is the Chain of Custody procedure? Back to top
"Chain of Custody" refers to the chain of procedures carried out to ensure the identity of the DNA samples being tested. These samples have to be controlled throughout the entire process to ensure that they cannot be tampered with or mixed up with other samples. Refer to our Chain of Custody definition. If this procedure is not carried out, the DNA test has no standing in court and can be used for peace of mind only. It is no less accurate, the only difference being that the identity of the individuals concerned has not been legally determined and secured through the testing procedure because the samples have been taken by the client and not personally and securely delivered to the laboratory. Is there any difference between a Maternity test and a Paternity Test? Back to top
The two are the same, both in regards to how the test is carried out and in the price charged by easyDNA. The only difference is in the labeling: 'Alleged Mother' rather than 'Alleged Father'. How long do you keep the samples? Back to top
The length of time for which we retain the samples depends on the type of test. Samples involved in a Court Admissible DNA Test have to be kept for six months at no further charge. Otherwise we destroy the samples immediately after you have been sent the results, unless you ask us to keep them when will store them for a further 6 months for a storage charge. Please contact us if you wish to take advantage of this facility. What does a DNA Paternity Test result look like? How can I interpret the result? Back to top
Our DNA Test Results section offers you some examples of what to expect in your DNA Paternity Test report. Not only that, but we have given you comprehensive information on the interpretation of results. How Secure Is Information about me? Back to top
The credit card information you provide us with is protected by the most secure encryption available for financial transactions online: 128 bit Secure Socket layer (SSL) encryption. This encrypts all of your information and we see nothing but the last four digits, used for order confirmation. Our SSL certification is displayed on our order form. The 128-bit encryption ensures the secure transmission of your card details to your card provider, and we retain nothing. Because of that, you have to re-enter all of your card details if you have to make any additional payments. From what samples is it possible to extract DNA? Back to top
Our standard sample is a buccal swab, containing saliva and skin cells, but we can also test non-standard samples such as semen, blood, hair and nails. We can test DNA taken from items that a subject has been in contact with such as a handkerchief or tissue, condom, bedding, cigarette butts and chewing gum. Our DNA Forensic testing web page offers a price list and list of non-standard samples we can test. Is it possible to do DNA tests on hair samples? Back to top
Yes, hair DNA testing is possible but only if the follicle, or root, is still attached and if the hair is fresh. The best results are from hairs freshly pulled from the head with the follicle still attached, and we prefer at least five samples to get sufficient DNA for matching. Old hair does not give good results unless you request the advanced DNA forensics option. Cut hair cannot be used for testing unless you are ordering an Mt-DNA test. The quality of the results increases with increasing freshness. What can be done if the alleged father doesn't want to give his DNA sample but a member of his family is willing to? Back to top
It is possible for a relative to be tested if the alleged father refuses for example, through a DNA Sibling test. If the mother is willing to be tested as well, the results are liable to be much more conclusive. How long can the DNA samples survive? Back to top
It is possible to store DNA from biological sources such as saliva or blood for a number of years if the sample is properly prepared prior to storage. A saliva sample taken using a swab, for example, should be allowed to thoroughly dry out before placing the swab in an envelope for storage to ensure maximum longevity of the sample to be used for a future DNA test. | 
