There are many companies offering DNA testing and many of them make claims to outstandingly accurate results. However, what one needs to look out for goes beyond what the company offers to issues relating more specifically to the laboratories that actually carries the test. The following are the four main factors that must be taken into consideration when selecting a laboratory to perform your test: quality, experience, turnaround time and price.

Quality of testing

Quality is reflected primarily in the accreditation of the laboratory. Make sure to pick a laboratory that is adequately accredited. The highest level of accreditation is ISO17025 and AABB accreditation. This accreditation ensures that the laboratory has gone through a rigorous inspection procedure to ensure that its standard operating procedures are of a high level of quality and reliability.

The quality and accuracy of the test also is important. Make sure that the test is being performed on 16 microsatellite markers which is the current gold standard for paternity testing. These markers are DNA fragments in which the same short sequence of DNA is repeated several times, and the number of DNA sequence repetitions (or frequency) is highly variable within the general population but strongly unchanged from parent to child. Nowadays most laboratories test for 16 markers to establish paternity. The higher the number of markers tested the more reliable the result, therefore it is advisable to select a laboratory that performs testing with this minimum number of markers.

Experience

Experience in handling these type of DNA tests is very important as the company with experience in the field will be better able to advise you on your requirements and guide you through the whole process. You can gauge the experience of the company by reading its about its history, experience and also by contacting them directly and making sure that all your questions are answered in a comprehensive manner and timely fashion.

Turnaround time

When choosing a laboratory make sure that you are given information about the average and maximum period it takes for a result to be issued. A 5 to10 day turnaround time is the norm although many laboratories also offer an express service, but charge significantly extra for this. Express testing can result in the delivery of results in less than 48 hours. It is important to note that turnaround times stated are normally from the time the DNA samples are received at the laboratory – since the time it takes for the samples to arrive there is not constant and depends how the samples are sent (courier, registered mail or normal mail) .

How much does the DNA test cost ?

The prices for a standard home paternity test can range from about 200 to 350 euro. With paternity tests, cheaper does not necessarily mean poorer quality or slower service. A relatively lower price can also reflect the cost efficiencies gained by the company because it handles large volumes of tests. However, it is always wise to make sure you are comfortable with a laboratory’s quality and services before choosing a less expensive option.

Tips on Selecting a Service Provider:

  • Is the laboratory doing the testing internationally accredited ?
  • Is the test accurate and reliable ?
  • Is the turnaround time acceptable ?
  • Is the price acceptable ?

The above are the most important factors that you need to take into consideration. Of course price is always one of the first issues to be considered – however with DNA tests we recommend that you give a lot of importance to the other factors listed above as ultimately there are critical to ensuring your peace of mind that you have undertaken a professional and accurate test.

Proceed here to find out how to Obtain Your DNA Testing Kit