FAMILY COURT DIRECTED DNA TESTING

Known as Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA is a substance that is found in most cells of the human body and in all living organisms. Information is stored in DNA that is passed on from generation to generation (half from the mother, half from the father), providing a map of the genetic characteristics of each individual. The information provided in this report is used to develop an individual in a specific way, for example, by changing his or her physical appearance and attributes.
Almost every living cell contains DNA, which is why it can be found in saliva, hair, and blood, for example. DNA samples are often taken from these sources.

DNA testing comes in a variety of forms, the most common of which is paternity testing. A paternity test determines whether the alleged father of a child is the true biological father.
When the child, the alleged father, and the mother are all tested, the results will be the most accurate. However, there are other methods that can be used to determine the probability of paternity without testing all three individuals. There is a variety of testing available, including the testing of Y chromosomes as well as testing of aunts and uncles (a.k.a. avuncular testing).
A DNA test is typically used to determine the likelihood of a relationship between two individuals. A person may undergo such a test for a variety of reasons, such as to establish their relationship to a British citizen for immigration purposes or to determine their ancestry.
It is common for DNA testing to be used in the investigation of crimes. The primary focus of our laboratory is DNA, Drug & Alcohol testing and we do not claim to be a forensics laboratory, however we can use workplace testing to reduce crime or eliminate criminal activity within your organization if necessary. As well as determining the likelihood of inheriting genetic diseases, DNA tests are also used to assist in developing treatments for genetic diseases.

To conduct DNA testing, individuals are required to rub a buccal swab on the inside of their cheeks. As a result of the swab, cells are collected, which contain the DNA necessary for the analysis. Usually, when paternity testing is conducted, the child, the alleged father, as well as the mother are required to provide two swabs each.
Prior to being sent to the laboratory for analysis, these swabs will be placed in individual envelopes and sealed. However, since the DNA is being analysed from the mother’s blood rather than directly from the baby, this procedure is non-invasive and will not cause any discomfort or harm to the baby. Please see (Prenatal DNA Testing) for more information on the subject.
In addition to DNA tests, samples from the deceased can also be used in DNA tests (for example, during autopsies). In such a situation, all the necessary ‘qualified’ consents are required before DNA testing can be conducted.

An oral swab similar to a cotton bud is referred to as a buccal swab. While it may appear to be a cotton bud, it is more rugged and suitable as an alternative to a cotton bud, so it is not recommended that you use your own.
Is consent required when taking a DNA sample?
In general, consent must always be obtained before DNA testing can be conducted.
When testing children or the deceased, consent is not possible in some circumstances. Nevertheless, relevant consent can also be provided by other related parties, such as parents and next of kin.
In the Human Tissue Act, certain authorities are exempt, but these do not include companies offering DNA testing to the general public.
In all cases, it is important to secure the consent of everyone being tested, when possible, as well as ‘qualifying’ consent when this is not possible.

Testing of DNA does not require a minimum age since it is painless and will cause no harm to the subject. However, permission from the parent or guardian is required. Non-intrusive prenatal DNA testing can even be conducted before the baby is born, and the baby will not be disturbed or injured in any way.

In this case, DNA is analysed from the blood of the mother rather than from the blood of the child. To be eligible to undergo prenatal testing, a mother must be at least nine weeks pregnant.

A number of factors influence the cost of DNA testing, including the type of test, the method of sample collection, and the number of individuals to be tested. Generally, peace of mind tests is less expensive than DNA tests approved by a court. The reason for this is not that they are any less accurate, but because the sample collection procedure differs.
At London DNA Clinic, we indicate when additional fees may be applied at the point of sale (for instance, if an additional child is to be tested as part of a paternity test). This ensures that our customers are informed about their total costs before making a payment.
It is also possible that the price may vary depending on the time frame within which you require the results. In the case of our peace of mind tests, we provide results within one working day as a standard service, and in the case of our legal tests, the results are provided within three working days as a standard service. However, we are also able to provide next-working-day or same-day (8 hour) results with legal testing if the samples are received before 10:00am.

It is relatively rare that someone can be eligible for a free DNA test. There are no DNA tests available on the NHS and people on benefits do not receive special discounts on these tests.
Would the results be admissible in court?
In the case of a peace of mind test (a DNA testing kit ordered at home); the results are not admissible in court. In the case of a legal DNA test, the results may be used as evidence of relationship in court, for example by the CSA and the Home Office.

It is extremely accurate to determine a father’s paternity, especially when it is conducted in conjunction with the mother. However, there are no paternity tests available that can claim a 100% probability of paternity. This does not imply that they are not accurate.
Using our paternity testing service, we are able to determine a probability of paternity that exceeds 99.99%. There is a high degree of accuracy in our results when determining the probability of paternity. A distinction must be made between terms such as ‘conclusive results’, ‘probability of paternity’, and ‘accuracy’.

We maintain a strict policy of confidentiality when conducting our tests. All of our samples are collected in accordance with strict procedures from start to finish. It is our policy not to disclose results or personal information to third parties; all data is password protected, so any details about the testing will only be shared with those who have the right to know (after receiving correct passwords and answers to unique security questions).

London DNA Clinic offers a number of advantages for DNA testing. We are not able to mention them all here and in great detail. But here are just a few reasons:
In accordance with our standard practice, we provide DNA test results within the next working day
Our standard delivery time for legal DNA test results is three working days
Clients visiting (walk-in) our clinic does not require an appointment.
Whether you require advice regarding your DNA testing needs, or if you require expert assistance, our friendly customer service representatives are available to assist you.
The DNA test kits that we deliver are discretely packaged and are 100% confidential
We provide a premium level of service through our own team of fully qualified sample collectors
We at London DNA Clinic employ experts who have many years of experience and utilize the latest technology to test DNA
Visit this website for further information on each of these great reasons to choose London DNA Clinic as your DNA testing provider.

A mouth swab can be used to take DNA samples in most cases. This procedure is painless and can be performed using a mouth swab.
Blood is required for some DNA tests, such as prenatal testing. This procedure is non-invasive and will not disturb or harm the baby in any way as the DNA will be analysed from the mother’s bloodstream. 

DNA testing can usually be carried out using a mouth swab that is applied to the inside of the cheek and is completely painless.

Most often, a saliva sample is collected from a mouth swab. It should be noted that in some instances, it may be necessary to collect a blood sample without the use of a needle or syringe.

The interpretation of the results may appear fairly straightforward when the results are conclusive (a probability of paternity of 0% or higher than 99%).
Although results with very high and low extremes of percentages can be difficult for people to understand, even those with moderate levels of percentages can be confusing.
Please contact our friendly customer service team if you need assistance. They will explain in an easy-to-understand manner what the results indicate.

It is recommended that DNA samples be stored for a period of three months, and the results of the tests are kept for a period of twelve months. The reason they are kept after testing is to allow for any subsequent testing that may be necessary.
It is important to note that these time frames comply with all applicable legislation (such as the Data Protection Act and the Human Tissue Act).

In cases where a UK citizen is sponsoring the immigration of a relative, a DNA test may be required to demonstrate that the person seeking UK citizenship/a UK passport is a blood relative to the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, HM Passport Office, embassy, or consulate.

As an example, if a child is born abroad to a parent or parents who are citizens of the United Kingdom, a DNA test approved by the Home Office may be necessary in order to confirm paternity or maternal relationship, which will allow the child to be granted citizenship in the country.
As a general rule, documents such as birth certificates or marriage certificates are sufficient for proving a relationship when applying for immigration, visas, or passports, but DNA tests can be extremely useful, provided the applicant independently decides to submit DNA evidence to support a relationship (since they cannot be asked to do so by officials).

When a client/applicant applies for a UK passport or a Home Office visa, a DNA test may be required if they wish to join their family members who have already been permanent residents in the UK, or if they wish to obtain a UK passport based on a family relationship.
The applicant of an immigration or passport application will usually be required to provide supporting documentation such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
For immigration or passport applications, these documents are often sufficient to establish the relationship between the applicants.
It is possible, however, to take a DNA test to prove a biological connection to family members residing in the UK where there are insufficient official documents available (e.g. birth certificates).
In addition, applicants must make their own decisions regarding whether to provide DNA evidence, as they cannot be compelled to do so by the Home Office.

For the purpose of analysing cheek cell DNA for immigration/passport applications, a cheek (buccal) swab is rubbed down the inside of each donor’s cheek.
The DNA evidence must conform to certain collection standards in order to be admissible to the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, and HM Passport Office.
The collection of DNA samples must be conducted under strict chain of custody guidelines. The DNA samples must be obtained by a trained sample collector under chain of custody in addition to photographic identification for each donor.
It is also necessary for donors to provide consent (usually by signing) before their samples can be used for DNA testing. Parents or guardians with parental responsibility for children under 16 must provide consent.
It is mandatory for anyone aged 16 or older to provide their own written consent to undergo a DNA test.
DNA samples are analyzed and compared once they reach the laboratory in order to determine whether the individuals being tested share enough DNA markers to establish a biological relationship.
A pair of individuals who share sufficient DNA markers will likely be related biologically (e.g. a parent and a child, an aunt/uncle and a niece/nephew, a full or half-sibling, a cousin, etc.).
With London DNA Clinic, up to 42 DNA markers (loci) can be analyzed and compared, which is twice the industry standard for DNA testing.

Examples of DNA testing being used for visa/passport applications include:

• When a child is born abroad to a UK citizen and his or her parents seek citizenship for him or her. The individual may, in this situation, choose to undergo a paternity test or a maternity test in order to confirm their parentage.
• Relatives who intend to move to the UK and wish to submit DNA evidence as proof of their familial relationship (where a citizen of the UK is sponsoring their citizenship or visa application) may decide to undergo a complex relationship DNA test.
  In addition to confirming a biological relationship between siblings, grandparents and their grandchildren, uncles and aunts or cousins, DNA tests can also be used to determine the likelihood that two or more individuals are related.

Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, and embassies require DNA testing to be performed by UKAS ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratories for admissibility in support of immigration/visa and passport applications.

HM Passport Office, UK Visa and Immigration, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, and the Ministry of Justice recognize and accept our DNA immigration tests.

During the process of obtaining a UK immigration or passport application, a DNA test is conducted by using a swab on the inside of each donor’s cheek to obtain cheek cells for analysis.
A DNA laboratory analyzes these samples and compares them to identify matching DNA markers (loci) to verify the biological relationship between the donors.
It will be possible to verify a biological relationship between the individuals if they share sufficient DNA markers. It will not be the case if they are not related.
The Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, and HM Passport Office require certain collection standards to be met before DNA evidence can be admitted.
DNA samples must be collected in accordance with strict chain of custody guidelines. A trained sample collector will collect DNA samples from each donor under chain of custody, and photographic identification must also be obtained to ensure that the correct samples are collected.

A sample collection kit will be sent to the required foreign location, and an appointment can be scheduled through a local physician, medical practice, hospital, or another approved clinic in the country of the applicant.
Following the collection of DNA samples (both in the UK and abroad), the donor(s) is required to provide a form of identification, including a photograph.
Our company, London DNA Clinic, is well experienced in collecting DNA samples from individuals living abroad.
As a result of our strong international network of sample collectors, we can provide a fast and efficient service, collecting samples from over 90 different countries worldwide. Our network of sample collectors works with immigration centres, consulates, and embassies around the world to ensure a fast and efficient service.
HM Passport Office and the UK Home Office accept our DNA tests for immigration.

After the DNA samples have been received at our laboratory, our geneticists extract the DNA from the cheek cells using the latest DNA analysis techniques and methods.
In order to determine whether two or more individuals are biologically related, our DNA laboratory analyzes up to 42 DNA markers (loci) – double the industry standard for DNA testing.
The DNA test examines Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers, which are repeating DNA sequences on each chromosome.
Each individual possesses two copies of each STR marker, known as alleles: one inherited from the father and the other from the mother.
At each STR marker, two alleles are observed and compared between the individuals. In the event that a sufficient number of matching markers are found, this provides evidence of biological relationship.
In order to determine the probability that the two individuals share a relationship, statistical calculations are performed.

A caseworker, immigration and border force officer, or passport examiner may be responsible for reviewing the DNA test results, depending on the reason for the test.
It is important for the caseworker or passport examiner to carefully review the DNA testing laboratory’s explanation of the headline results when reviewing the results.
An applicant’s case will be referred to a senior official for further consideration if the results do not establish a biological relationship between him/her and the other sample donor (family member).

On the basis of the samples, we receive at our laboratory, all of our DNA tests are 100% accurate and reliable.
Our DNA testing is also accredited by UKAS to the international standard ISO xxxx.
We are approved by the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, and UK courts for our DNA test results.

DNA tests for immigration are subject to a variety of factors, including the location of the sample collection (for example, a foreign location) as well as the type of DNA relationship test required (for instance, paternity, maternity, siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents, etc.).
It is possible that the applicant may be entitled to legal aid in order to cover the costs associated with the DNA test, depending on the circumstances.
Individuals wishing to determine whether they are eligible for legal aid funding can find a wealth of information on the Legal Aid Agency’s website.

The importance of meeting deadlines when submitting immigration/passport applications and appeals cannot be overstated.
In these instances, next day DNA tests are provided as a standard service.

Now you can request a quote online. If you complete our online quote form, a member of our Legal department will be in touch with you to discuss your needs.
You may also contact us by phone or by email and a member of our Legal team will be happy to provide you with a quote and discuss your case with you.