The routine use of blood samples is on the decline for paternity testing. Buccal swabs are rapidly becoming the DNA specimen of choice. The DNA testing specimen is collected by gently rubbing the cheeks inside the mouth with long swabs similar to Q-tips. The buccal cells that come off in the process require no refrigeration or preservatives and do not need immediate shipping to the paternity testing laboratory. In addition to the easy collection, the DNA specimen is useful after years of storage. The DNA tests utilized in our paternity laboratory are the exact same DNA tests as used when testing blood for DNA identification of specimens.

Buccal swab DNA specimens are not affected by bacteria, toothpaste, chewing tobacco or other tobacco products, lipstick, or nursing (mother’s milk). Bacterial DNA does not affect the testing, as bacteria do not contain the DNA sequences examined in the test. No fasting is required prior is specimen collection.

The DNA paternity testing results in all cases to date are either clear exclusions or probabilities of paternity — 99%.