Collecting you DNA sample is a simple and painless procedure especially given the ease of collection with the sterile mouth swabs in our DNA testing home kit. The paternity test kit (or DNA testing home kit) is simply and straighforward to use. Before you begin your DNA sample collection please note the following guidelines which are mandatory to successful sample collection.

Before collecting samples, make sure that participants in the DNA test have done the following:

• They have no consumed and food or hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, for at least 1 hour before the test.
• They have not smoked anything for at least an hour before taking the test.

Make sure to wash your hand to ensure that the swabs are kept sterile and anyone taking part in the test should rinse their mouth with warm water to clear it of any particles, pieces of food etc.
For infants, we recommend giving them some water from their bottle prior to testing and leaving a gap of 1-2 hours between their last feed and the DNA sample collection.

To aid you with the sample collection procedure we have come up with the following guide. Please take some time to also look at the pictures as these will help guide you alongside the written instructions.

Once you have opened the envelope in which everything needed for your test is contained, you will find three colour coded envelopes. Depending on the test, you have paid for, you may be not be required to use them all. (view image)

The colour coded envelopes match the colour coded swabs inside which yoy find in your sample collection kit; the pink envelope will contain 2 pink swabs, the same appying for the other envelopes.  (view image). Crucial to the sample collection is filling in the consent forms as well as adding the necessary details to the envelopes (view image). The consent forms require signatures from the people who have provided DNA samples. Write in block capitals so as to ensure legibility.

When removing the swab from the envelope, be careful not to touch the cotton ended part of the swab. Doing this will ensure that they remain sterile. You have two swabs for every person being tested- make sure to use both when you collect you DNA samples (view image). Swabs are very easy to use; simply rub the cotton ended part inside the mouth, under the tongue, the inner cheeks. Rub the swab for around 10 seconds. The rubbing process collects cheek cells. Remember to use both swabs per person and make sure swabs from different test particpants never come into contact with eachother. (view image)

After having rubbed the swabs for the 10 seconds required, you must now allow them to dry for around an hour. Perhaps this can be done by leaving swabs from separate people in glasses-cotton ended part face up- and being careful to remember which swabs came from which person. Do not check the swab to see if its dry be touching it- one hour should be sufficient. (view image)

Place the colour coded envelopes back into the homeDNAdirect Ireland self addressed envelope along with the submission forms and send them back to homeDNA direct for laboratory analysis and processing. Remember to stick a stamp for posting.  (view image)

Repeat the above process for each person being tested.

Legal DNA Test Kit

For Legal DNA Testing in Ireland a different kit will be provided and DNA sample collection will be carried out by a neutral third party. For information about the additional requirements where chain of custody procedures are required visit the Legal DNA Tests section.

If you have any further questions on how to use your DNA testing home kit please do not hesitate to contact us at info@homednadirect.ie