Finding a Reputable Laboratory

It is important for you to find a reputable laboratory for your DNA testing. The results of this test can change your life, so you want to ensure the laboratory performing the DNA test is reliable.

Tips

When looking for a paternity testing company, consider these things for your safety:

• One of the most important things to remember is that a paternity test has to not only be performed correctly, it has to be interpreted correctly. Make sure you find a company that has years of experience and is able to correctly interpret results, even if there are mutations.
  
• Do not be immediately convinced by claims of "the lowest price in the world." Often companies who make these claims without qualifying them do not provide quality testing; the companies cut corners in their testing process in order to provide the low price.
  
• Many companies claim to handle thousands of samples every year. Remember that a single case can have samples from more than three different individuals. Look for a laboratory that handles thousands of cases every year. Pay close attention to how these claims are worded. Make sure the company actually gets that many cases every year, not just that they could handle that many cases every year.
  
• Find a laboratory that has been accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks for at least five (5) years. This is the main accrediting body for this type of testing.

Accreditations

Although there are currently no federal regulatory bodies governing paternity testing, there are several accrediting bodies. The following are organizations that recognize a laboratory's excellence in DNA testing, and you should check to see if the laboratory has accreditation from these organizations. We are accredited by these five institutions that oversee the DNA paternity testing industry:

The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has been setting the standards for parentage testing for over 20 years. It monitors the development of new technologies and reviews laboratories to ensure that they are using scientifically valid procedures. This is the most important accreditation for a laboratory to have received. Read more about it in "What does it mean to be AABB accredited?"

The Clinical Laboratory Amendments Act (CLIA) specifies regulations for the transport and testing of human samples, ensuring that laboratory results are timely, accurate, and reliable. Our laboratory has been accredited by CLIA for over 8 years.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) aims to foster excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine. Our laboratory is accredited by CAP for molecular diagnostic services, including paternity testing.

The Forensic Quality Services International (FQS-I) accredits paternity laboratories according to the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/ 17025, which creates standards to be followed worldwide, and the DNA Advisory Board, which uses the standards issued by the FBI Director.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) protects the interests of New York clients by conducting rigorous inspections on all laboratories that perform testing for New York residents. If you are in the State of New York, make sure that the laboratory you choose has a certification from NYSDOH.

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What does it mean to be AABB accredited?

AABB-accredited laboratories have met certain standards and follow strict guidelines. Every two years, the AABB conducts laboratory inspections to ensure the testing process meets their high standard and will be accepted in any court of law. The AABB requires that all exclusions be run twice for quality assurance, though many laboratories have resisted this requirement in order to save money. In addition to the extensive testing, the AABB requires biannual proficiency testing. Twice a year, a proficiency laboratory will send samples to be tested in the DNA laboratory.

It may be important for you to note that the AABB only accredits legal DNA testing. Be aware that some companies claim to sell AABB-accredited private (in-home collection) tests, but these tests are actually not. The lab may be AABB-accredited, but that still does not mean that the private DNA tests are accredited.

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Why is AABB accreditation important?

AABB accreditation is important for two main reasons:

• Accreditation assures you that tests are being performed by qualified staff, according to scientifically valid practices. Accreditation is critical to ensure that the test results will be accurate and reliable. It is important for you to know that paternity testing laboratories are not currently required to obtain a license prior to performing paternity testing. Anyone can open a paternity laboratory and use any method they choose to perform tests.
  
• Laboratory accreditation may be required in order for the results of a DNA test to be admissible in court.

What are some recommended relationship testing laboratories?

We have searched and analyzed many different relationship testing laboratories, and we recommend the following laboratory for legal DNA testing:

DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC)
Fairfield, OH

This private laboratory has been in business for over 10 years and is a leader in the industry. They are the only laboratory that automatically runs every test twice (regardless of whether or not it is an exclusion), using a documented and CAP-commended Dual Process™, and their strict chain of custody ensures 100% accuracy. If you do not need legal relationship testing, there are a variety of other choices. We recommend the following companies:

(Click on the company name to visit their website.)

United Kingdom

DNA Diagnostics Centre
London

DNA Diagnostics Centre in London is the European headquarters of its parent company, DDC. They specialise in immigration DNA testing and can coordinate appointments for testing in the UK and in 168 countries around the world.

If you do not need legal relationship testing, there are a variety of other choices. We recommend the following companies:

UK Paternity Testing Centre –This company specializes in paternity and immigration DNA testing

Genetic Discovery – specializes in private paternity testing

United States

American Paternity – specializes in comprehensive testing, paying special attention to customer service

Beta Paternity – specializes in in-home DNA testing, and is the largest provider in North America

DNA Roots – specializes in DNA testing for adult children

GeneMatch – specializes in infidelity testing

GeneSys – specializes in relationship testing, and provides DNA banking

Prophase Genetics – specializes in private paternity testing

To see a list of all labs with AABB accreditation for parentage testing, click here.

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