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. 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.

Step One:  (view image)
You will find a number of colored envelopes in your DNA test kit. Normally kits provided are pre-packed and will come with  swabs for up to 3 people. You will also find your submission forms.

Step Two:  (view image)
Inside each envelope is a set of color coded swabs. These swabs are the same color as the envelope they come in.  It is recommended not to eat or drink at least half an hour before an oral sample is taken.

Step Three:  (view image)
Fill out the submission forms as well as the details on the outside of the envelope making sure everything is filled in clearly and correctly. Please print in block capitals.

Step Four:  (view image)
Remove the swabs from the paper packaging. Be careful not to touch the cotton end of the swab with anything so it remains sterile. There are two swabs provided per each person to be tested.

Step Five:  (view image)
Rub the cotton end of the swab along the inside of your cheek, under your tongue and behind your lips as well. Do this for 10 seconds per person. Remember you are collecting cheek cells and not just saliva, so rub right against the inside of the cheek. Do this with both of the colour coded swabs per person.

Step Six:  (view image)
Before placing the swab back in the color coded envelope allow the swab a MINIMUM of 1 hour to dry. Place the swab somewhere that the end of the swab is not touching anything else. When dry place the swabs back in the color coded envelope. Do NOT touch the end of the swab at anytime, even to check if it is dry.

Step Seven:  (view image)
Place the color coded envelopes into the homeDNAdirect self addressed envelope with your submission form and send back to homeDNAdirect for processing. Please remember to affix the appropriate postage stamps.

Repeat the above process for each person being tested.

Legal DNA Test Kit

For Legal DNA Testing a different kit will be provided. 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 Test Kit please do not hesitate to contact us at info@homednadirect.ie