AABB accredited versus a non-accredited Paternity Test Comparison AABB accredited Lab Non-accredited Lab Yearly laboratory inspections and audits Yes-Mandatory Not required Testing method validation Yes-Mandatory Not required Independent proficiency testing Yes-Mandatory (3 times a year) Not required 12 hours of continuing education per year Yes-Mandatory Not required External and internal review process Yes-Mandatory Not required Stringent director qualification and lab personnel requirements in order to obtain accreditation Yes-Mandatory Not required Regularly scheduled equipment calibration along with written records Yes-Mandatory Not required

Choosing a laboratory  to do your DNA test can be a difficult task, the science behind the DNA test can be overwhelming, and the number of laboratories from which to choose appears endless.  Unfortunately, inspection of DNA laboratories is not mandatory, and the quality varies widely, especially when you consider non-accredited  laboratories.  On the edge are a number laboratories that do not subscribe to the established quality-control assurance programs and scientifically valid testing procedures. 

In evaluating a DNA testing laboratory, one should ask:

1.  Is the DNA test accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) to assure the most accurate test results?

• DNA testing is a very serious matter that will affect the rest of your life — do you really want to trust this matter  to a laboratory that is not accredited or even eligible for an AABB accreditation? 
• The internet has allowed many companies to offer DNA testing.  Unfortunately, DNA testing companies are not required to obtain an accreditation in order to be in business.  The AABB is the only national accrediting agency for DNA testing.  AABB accreditation is your only assurance that your DNA test is performed by qualified scientists and according to valid scientific practices. There are over 20,000 laboratories in the United States and only 47 labs in the United States have an AABB accreditation. 
• The accreditation program of the AABB has succeeded in ensuring the highest quality DNA testing.  This consistent level of overall quality has resulted in the general acceptance of test results from AABB-accredited laboratories by the courts, without the need for expensive and time-consuming trials involving expert witness testimony.

2. Is the laboratory confident enough in their technology and methods to offer a money-back guarantee?

• Genetic Identity is one of the few companies confident enough to offer their clients a money-back guarantee!
• We are confident because we test 16 alleles! Most companies only test from six to nine alleles. The 16 alleles yields a probability of paternity > 99.999% guaranteed!

3.  Does the lab use highly trained and professional Ph.D. scientists to run and evaluate your test?

• There are a number of laboratories that use lab technician rather than Ph.D. scientists to perform and evaluate your test.
• All DNA testing and test result evaluation are performed by expert Ph.D. (Molecular Biology) scientist.
• Courts have accepted molecular biologists as the relevant scientific community with respect to laboratory techniques of isolating and probing the DNA. Forensic scientists or laboratory technicians involved in the analysis often do not have a strong background in the relevant scientific discipline.

4. Does the company have a highly trained Ph.D. scientist on staff to answer your questions?

• There are many companies that do not have a person with a Ph.D. available to directly answer your questions. You would be surprised at the number of companies that DO NOT have a Ph.D.-level scientist working anywhere at the company.
• Genetic Identity is owned by a scientist with a doctoral degree in Molecular Biology.

5.  Are there any hidden fees?  There are several  laboratories that advertise a low price but then make you pay specimen collection fees and shipping out of your own pocket. 

• Genetic Identity’s prices include all specimen collection fees and shipping costs. There are no hidden charges!

     If you contact a laboratory and are unable to talk with an understanding, helpful and knowledgeable client-services representative, it might be advisable to look elsewhere.  A laboratory may do fine work, but if there is no one available to clearly explain the process and results, it can be frustrating.  Bottom line:   Shop carefully – make sure you get an AABB-accredited DNA test, an expert Ph.D. scientist consultation and the best possible price.