Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a chemical substance found in the nucleus of cells. Its function is to make copies of itself so that dividing cells can pass on the same information.
DNA stores information that is needed for passing down faithfully our genetic attributes from one generation to the other hence it is also known as our genetic blueprint.
Half of each person’s DNA information comes from the father and the other half from the mother.
Samples are taken from the child, mother and father using a paternity test kit and are sent to our laboratory. DNA from each individual sample is extracted.
Specific regions of the DNA are copied using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique (PCR). The product of the PCR is separated and detected to obtain a DNA profile.
One-half of each person’s DNA information comes from the father and the other half from the mother. The test looks out for similarity between the DNA profiles of the child, mother and father. By comparing the DNA profiles of the child with the mother, it is possible to establish the common factors between them. The child’s factors not found in the mothers profile must therefore come from the biological father.
An alleged father is excluded as the biological father if factors found on his DNA profile are not shared with the child’s. However if the alleged father’s profile contains that of the child’s factors then, he is not excluded as the true biological father. A statistical analysis is then carried out to calculate the probability of paternity.
From the time we receive your samples in our laboratory, we will process them as quickly as possible.
You should expect to receive your DNA results in 3-5 days for standard paternity tests.
We do offer an express service, which will have your results returned to you within 24-48 hours of us receiving the samples.
Will you give the results to anyone besides the person who orders the test?
No, we pride ourselves on our confidentiality and will never give your test results to anyone other than the person ordering the test.
All DNA tests in Ireland are conducted outside the state.
Based in the United Kingdom our partner laboratory employees a team of fully qualified scientists and meets the requirements of ISO 17025 for paternity testing.
All DNA tests in Ireland are conducted outside the state. Based in the United Kingdom our partner laboratory employees a team of fully qualified scientists and meets the requirements of ISO 17025 for paternity testing.
The test is very simple. It will involve following:
– Collecting cheek cells from your mouth using the cotton swabs.
– Sending the Paternity Test kit back to the laboratory for processing.
– Generating and sending to you a report after the test is completed.
The Home Paternity Test Kit contains:
- Step by Step instructions on how to carry out DNA test.
- DNA Test Kit to include Consent Form, Swabs for Alleged Father (Blue), Mother (Pink) and Child (Yellow).
- Pre-paid Registered Padded Envelope
- Checklist
- Terms & Conditions
DNA Test Results: The test will either exclude a putative father as the biological father or it will include a putative father as the true biological father.
A statistical analysis will be provided to support this claim if the alleged father is included.
The status of Children act states that children are the offspring of their mothers husband unless it is proved that they are not. However not all parents are married and there can be a requirement to prove paternity. If an unmarried mother names a man as the father of her child on the birth certificate, she can then attempt to claim maintenance from him in the family law courts.
Alternatively a man who considers himself to be the father of a child may find that the mother is unwilling to let him access the child, particularly if there has been a break down in communication between the parties.
It is in these incidences that DNA testing in Ireland is performed. Until recently relatively few DNA Tests in Ireland were being performed. However in the last five years there has been a huge upsurge in the number of DNA tests in Ireland.
Payment can be made by Credit/Debit Card, Bankers Draft, Bank Transfer.
Confidentiality is the top priority for OQPS, all our dealing with clients are in complete confidence. You can rest assured that your personal information will not be distributed to any other parties.
A persons DNA is individually unique, and is contained in every single cell in the human body. Oral swab testing works by collecting cheeks cell DNA. Blood DNA testing is conducted by examining DNA extracted from blood. The DNA taken from both sources is absolutely identical, because of this neither oral swab or blood testing is more accurate then the other as both will give the same result. The principal advantage of oral swab testing and the reason for its popularity is that it allows for non-invasive and painless collection of DNA.
You inherit your unique genetic profile at conception. A child no matter how old he or she is can be DNA tested at any time. If required you can undergo prenatal (hyperlink to Prenatal DNA testing) DNA testing between the 11th and 18th weeks of pregnancy, however this must be carried out under the supervision of an obstetrician.
The test compares fragments of highly variable DNA, called Short Tandem Repeats (STR). Through a series of chemical reactions, DNA from each individual is extracted. Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique (PCR), fifteen STR markers from the different chromosomes of the individuals tested are copied. The products of PCR are separated and detected to obtain a DNA profile.
One-half of each person’s DNA information comes from their father and the other half from their mother. By comparing the DNA profiles of the child with the mother, it is possible to establish the shared STR markers between them. The child’s STR markers not found in the mother’s profile must therefore come from the biological father.
An alleged father is excluded as the biological father if STR markers found on his DNA profile are not shared with the child’s. However if the alleged father’s profile shares common STR markers with that of the child’s then he is not excluded as the true biological father. A statistical analysis is then carried out to calculate the probability of paternity.
As shown in the test results’ table, each STR marker tested is listed together with the probability of occurrence in the general population.
It means that the DNA profile of the alleged father does not match the DNA profile of the child.
Therefore the result is consistent with the tested man not being the biological father of the child.
It means that the DNA profile of the alleged father matches the DNA profile of the child.
Therefore the result is consistent with the tested man being the biological father of the child.
Inconsistent means that the DNA profiles of the child and alleged father do not match at a genetic marker.
This is the probability, expressed as a percentage, that the tested man is the father of the child rather than an unrelated, untested man of similar ethnic origin being the father of the child.
The paternity index is the likelihood that a piece of DNA, known as an allele, at a given genetic marker was passed to the child by the alleged father rather than by an unrelated, untested man of similar ethnic origin.
The results will be given to the person nominated on the consent form and other authorised persons where appropriate. Please refer to our Code of Practice for more details.
The combined paternity index is the likelihood that the alleged father is the biological father of the child rather than an unrelated, untested man of similar ethnic origin. The CPI is calculated by multiplying the PIs for each tested genetic marker.
The alleles shared by the alleged father and child occur with different frequencies in people of different ethnic backgrounds. For example, some alleles are common in Chinese individuals but are less common in white European individuals and vice versa. Calculations of PI, CPI and probability of paternity depend on how common or rare the alleles shared by the alleged father and the child are compared to the general population.
Therefore, if we know the ethnic origin of the tested individuals we can calculate PI, CPI and probability of paternity more accurately.
The genetic markers used in the Paternity Test do not give any information about ancestry, family history or the chances of developing medical conditions.
The DNA sample is stored for six months, after which it is destroyed by incinerator.
If you have carried out a Peace of Mind DNA test the results may not be accepted for legal purposes due to the method of sample collection.
If you need the results of the test for legal purposes such as changing a birth certificate you will require our Legal Test Service. Contact us or visit our website for details.