Legal DNA Testing

Legal DNA testing refers to a DNA test that follows a strict chain of custody, ensuring that the DNA samples are properly collected, handled, and tested under a controlled environment. This process makes the results legally defensible and can be used for legal purposes such as child custody, child support, immigration, and more.

Legal DNA testing is typically required when there's a need to establish a biological relationship for legal purposes. This could be for child custody cases, child support disputes, immigration applications, or inheritance claims

Selecting an accredited DNA testing laboratory is essential for several reasons. Firstly, accreditation serves as a mark of legitimacy and trustworthiness. It assures you that the laboratory meets stringent standards and follows established protocols to ensure accurate and reliable testing.

Accreditation also guarantees the highest quality of testing. Accredited laboratories undergo comprehensive evaluations by reputable organizations to assess their proficiency and competence. By choosing an accredited laboratory, you can have confidence in the precision and integrity of your test results.

At Genetrack, we take pride in being one of the few DNA laboratories worldwide to have received all major internationally recognized and prestigious DNA laboratory accreditations. These include the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and ISO/IEC 17025, a testament to our commitment to upholding the highest standards in DNA testing.

In a paternity test, it is not required to test the mother in order to obtain a conclusive legal DNA test result. The test can be absolutely conclusive even with just the alleged father and child's samples. However, including the mother's DNA can help strengthen the results, but it is entirely optional

For other relationship tests like sibling or grandparentage tests, the inclusion of the mother's DNA may help in obtaining more precise results.

Once we receive your samples, testing begins immediately, and results are usually ready within 1 to 2 business days. You can access your results securely online through your secure online account.

Yes, the home DNA test is just as accurate as the legal DNA test. Both tests are performed in our accredited laboratory and use the same advanced technology and rigorous testing procedures to analyze the DNA samples. The results from both tests are equally accurate and reliable.

The main difference between the two tests is not the accuracy of the results, but the method of sample collection and the documentation process. For a home DNA test, you collect the samples yourself at home, while for a legal DNA test, the sample collection must be witnessed by a neutral third party, such as a medical professional or a legal representative, to maintain a chain of custody. This chain of custody process is what makes the results of a legal DNA test admissible in court.

So, if you need the test results for legal purposes, such as child custody cases, child support disputes, inheritance claims, or immigration applications, you would need to opt for the legal DNA test. If you're simply seeking to confirm a biological relationship for personal knowledge, the home DNA test would be sufficient.

For legal DNA testing, the sample collection and handling process follows a documented chain of custody. This means that the identity of the individuals being tested is verified (through government-issued ID, photographs, and fingerprinting), and the samples are tracked and documented at every step from collection to analysis.

There is no minimum age for a child to be tested. DNA testing can be performed on individuals of any age, including newborns.

Yes, Genetrack strictly adheres to the chain-of-custody procedure as outlined by the AABB. This means that the results can be used for legal purposes such as child custody, child support, immigration, and more.