How to create your own DNA Test Kit

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Below you will find step-by-step instructions as well as a list of required materials needed to complete your sample collection kit. Please keep in mind that we require written consent in order for us to be able to test your samples. Please ensure you print the Sample Submission Form which should be returned to us along with your samples.

Precautions

Participants should not eat or smoke for one hour prior to samples being collected.
In order to collect a proper sample it is important that person has a clean mouth. Adults and children: Rinse mouth three times with warm water. Infants: Allow infant to drink room temperature water from a bottle before sampling. Do not use mouthwash or toothpaste.
Do NOT touch the end of the swab at anytime; not even to check if it is dry.

How to make your DNA sampling kit

1. You will require 4 sterile cotton-tipped swabs/oral buccal swabs for each participant. These can be purchased from a pharmacy. If the swab has 2 cotton ends be sure to cut one of them off before starting the sample collection procedure. It is important to avoid touching the cotton end with your fingers.

2. You will also require paper envelopes in which to place the cotton swabs after samples have been collected (one envelope for each participant).

Sample Collection Instructions

Step 1

Prepare an envelope for each participant, clearly writing the following details on the outside:Your case reference code (this will be provided to you at time of order by our customer support team. Contact us to request yours), Full Name, Date of Birth and Relationship: e.g. Alleged father, child etc.

Step 2

Using clean swabs, rub the cotton end of the swab along the inside of your cheek, against the gums and behind your lips as well. Do this for 1 minute per person. Remember you are collecting loose cheek cells and not just saliva, so rub right against the inside of the cheek. Do this with 4 swabs per person.

Step 3

Allow the swabs a MINIMUM of 1 hour to dry. Place the swab somewhere clean, ensuring that the end of the swab is not touching anything else (for e.g. standing upright in a glass with cotton-end in the air). When dry place the swabs into the paper envelope.

Step 4

Place the paper envelopes with the swabs inside a larger envelope along with your signed submission form and send back to PTL for processing. Please remember to affix enough postage and use a secure service such as courier or tracked mail service.