DNA Lady
On January 1, 2010, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) released its 9th Edition of Standards for Relationship Testing Laboratories. The continued updating and renewal of such accreditation is a testament to the need for national standards for all DNA Tests. How many times do I hear that someone used one of those over the counter, local drug store kits and just are not comfortable or convinced of the results. To add to kit-user's frustration, there is no one to speak to directly for interpretation of the over the counter, do it yourself DNA kits. The frustrated consumer has paid over $150 in some instances, and is left with the same doubt as when they purchased the DNA kits.
The 9th Edition of the AABB's Standards for Relationship Testing laboratories, clearly states that all collection materials must be sent to a proper DNA collection facility or witness. Collection materials may not be in possession of the parties to be tested, before or after the DNA collection.
The new edition prohibits the selling of home test kits or sending kits to tested parties. This further prohibits tested parties from collecting their own DNA. In New Jersey, a court admissible DNA test can be done by simply calling your local DNA collector and set up a convenient time for testing. Be sure to bring proper identification, such as, current driver's license, military id, passports, residence cards - any picture identification that is issued by a U.S. government entity. Also, for purposes of Immigration, have all the contact information readily available for your beneificiary. If you are doing a Paternity Test or other family relationship test for court purposes, your identification will be photocopied, you will be photographed and fingerprinted. If in the future your lawyer needs to access your file, he/she will have access to a file that is considered Legally Admissible. Your local DNA collector will follow a Chain of Custody so that your results are acceptable in court.
