A common myth regarding non invasive prenatal paternity testing is that blood is the only acceptable item you can submit for an alleged father’s DNA sample. There are many more options available. Several are often overlooked and can hold valuable DNA information.
While the mother’s blood is required for this type of testing, the alleged father’s blood is not. Mother’s blood is required as the one and only way to find and decode the fetal or baby’s DNA. The fetal DNA resides in the mother’s bloodstream. In the case of the alleged father’s DNA sample, the choices can be extensive.
DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is the key to all life. Virtually every cell contains DNA and the DNA in people’s blood is the same as the DNA throughout their body’s cells. Time will not change a person’s DNA. You can commonly find viable DNA samples in any of the following suggested items:
- Hair (with root attached/8-10 strands ideal)
- Buccal Cheek swabs
- Toothbrush (used regularly for 3 or more weeks and only by the individual intended for testing)
- Dried blood (i.e. on a used bandage or piece of fabric or paper)
- Used Condom (can contain semen, skin cells and even blood)
- Sweat Catchers (i.e. bandanas or work hats & shirts)
- Bed linens/Pillowcases (common deposit sites of saliva, blood, skin cells, hair or even semen)
- Muscle or organ tissue
- Bones
- Chewing gum
- Cigarette butts
- Other items where biological material is commonly deposited.
If you find yourself being told that this is not an option for you. If you are informed that blood is the only acceptable item you may submit for the alleged father’s DNA sample, do not despair. Keep searching. You will find us!