STANDARD SAMPLE
Cheek Swab
Cheek swabs are the preferred sample for most paternity and relationship DNA tests.
- Easy to collect
- Painless
- Non-invasive
- Suitable for home collection
- Easy to package
- Convenient for mailing
- Reliable DNA source
DNA Sample Guide
What Can Be Used for DNA Testing?
Cheek swabs are the preferred sample for most DNA relationship tests. In some situations, DNA may also be recovered from other biological materials.
Three ways samples are handled
Standard, special and legal collection
Knowing which category you are in tells you exactly what to do next.
SPECIAL / NON-STANDARD SAMPLES
Items you already have
- Hair
- Toothbrush
- Nail Clippings
- Chewing Gum
- Cigarette Butt
- Used Tissue
- Dried Blood
- Other Biological Samples
Special samples require review before submission. DNA recovery depends on factors including sample type, age, condition, storage, contamination and available biological material.
Check My SampleLEGAL / OFFICIAL DNA COLLECTION
Documented chain of custody
- Court
- Child support
- Custody
- Estate
- Inheritance
- Immigration
- Other official purposes
Do not submit personal items or self-collected special samples for legal or official testing unless specifically instructed. Legal DNA testing generally requires identity verification, witnessed collection and documented chain of custody.
Book Professional CollectionSpecial samples
Sample pages, one by one
Each page explains what affects DNA recovery and how to have the sample reviewed before you send it.
RECOMMENDEDCheek Swab
The preferred sample for most relationship DNA tests. Simple, painless and suitable for convenient home collection.
Standard sample
SPECIAL SAMPLEHair
Hair containing suitable biological material may be accepted for DNA testing in certain cases.
Laboratory assessment required
SPECIAL SAMPLEToothbrush
A used toothbrush may contain recoverable DNA and may be suitable for testing depending on sample condition.
Laboratory assessment required
SPECIAL SAMPLENail Clippings
Fingernail or toenail clippings may be suitable for DNA extraction in certain cases.
Laboratory assessment required
SPECIAL SAMPLEChewing Gum
Used chewing gum may contain biological material suitable for DNA extraction.
Laboratory assessment required
SPECIAL SAMPLECigarette Butt
A used cigarette butt may contain saliva-derived DNA suitable for analysis in certain cases.
Laboratory assessment required
SPECIAL SAMPLEDried Blood
Dried blood on a card, bandage or fabric may contain recoverable DNA depending on condition and storage.
Laboratory assessment required
SPECIAL SAMPLEUsed Tissue
A used tissue may contain saliva or mucosal material and is reviewed case by case.
Laboratory assessment required
Check My SampleSpecial sample
Sample comparison
Typical suitability at a glance
Suitability is indicative only. Every special and specialized sample is assessed before submission.
| Sample | Sample type | Typical suitability | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheek Swab | Standard | Preferred | ORDER NOW |
| Hair | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Toothbrush | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Nail Clippings | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Chewing Gum | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Cigarette Butt | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Dried Blood | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Used Tissue | Special | Case dependent | CHECK SAMPLE |
| Tooth | Specialized | Laboratory review | CONTACT US |
| Bone | Specialized | Laboratory review | CONTACT US |
| Biological Tissue | Specialized | Laboratory review | CONTACT US |
| Other Samples | Unknown | Assessment required | CHECK SAMPLE |
DNA testing & consent
Recoverable DNA is not the same as permitted testing
The fact that DNA may potentially be recovered from an item does not automatically mean that testing is appropriate or permitted.
KINORA GENETICS may request information regarding:
- Who the sample belongs to
- How the sample was obtained
- Whether the individual has consented
- The intended purpose of testing
- The jurisdiction where the participants are located
- The intended use of the results
Sample acceptance may be refused where consent, ownership, identity or legal requirements cannot be appropriately established.
KINORA GENETICS is a DNA testing service and sample collection platform operated by Canadian International Business Development Corp. We do not own or operate a laboratory. Laboratory analysis is performed by qualified, accredited laboratory partners.
Results, timelines and acceptance of any report by a court, authority or other organisation are not guaranteed. No sample can be guaranteed to produce a usable DNA profile.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you have and what the results are for. A coordinator will point you to the right sample and collection method.