Cellmark is one of the largest private paternity and forensic DNA testing laboratories in Europe. Established in 1987 we now have over 21 year’s experience of providing DNA paternity and relationship testing services in the UK. During this period we have tested hundreds of thousands of people in relationship cases. In the UK, Cellmark is accredited by the Ministry of Justice and abides by the voluntary Code of Practice for Genetic Paternity Testers to ensure that we provide testing in an accurate, confidential and ethical manner. Cellmark’s results are accepted by UK courts as evidence of claimed relationships and our quality procedures are accredited to ISO17025 standards. All DNA paternity testing is carried out at Cellmark’s laboratories in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where we also provide a forensic DNA profiling service for the police.

Relationship testing is undertaken using DNA analysis called Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling. Typically, 15 STR tests are used to analyse a claimed relationship. In paternity cases when a mother, child and alleged father are tested, Cellmark will either exclude the man with 100% certainty, or will provide a probability of paternity in excess of 99.99%.

The use of the amplification technology PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to examine the STR markers, means that very small cellular samples can be used, such as Mouth Swabs (buccal scrapes). Most paternity cases are completed in just 5 working days and immigration cases in approximately 10 working days.

In order to comply with legal requirements, samples must be taken by a Registered Medical Practitioner or, under their supervision, by a Registered Nurse or a Registered Medical Laboratory Technician.

We must also remind you that the sampler must not be related to the Donor and must have no financial interest in the outcome of the test.

The Sampling Appointment When our clients request a DNA relationship test we ask them to arrange a sampling appointment. This can be done with either their own GP, or they may choose a doctor from the list that we supply.

The client will make an appointment (sometimes for all family members) at least 5 working days in advance, and then notify Cellmark. Cellmark will then send a sampling kit for each person to be tested directly to the chosen sampler (please see below for kit contents). Cellmark will provide the name/s and date/s of birth of the Donor/s for your reference. We ask the sampler to collect a Mouth Swab sample from each individual attending the appointment and to complete the associated identification paperwork.

It is extremely important that the person who fills out the identification paperwork must either take the sample or witness it being taken.

The sampler should then send the samples directly back to Cellmark by ordinary first class post in the tamperproof postage-paid packaging provided.

Please Note: Donors must never be allowed access to the samples they have provided and therefore MUST NOT be given their own samples to post back to Cellmark.

Identification Clients are requested to bring two passport sized photographs of themselves to the appointment. Within the kit we supply a sample declaration form for each individual to be tested. The form must be signed by the individual or, if under sixteen, by a person with parental responsibility and care and control of the child (usually the mother). The photographs must be stapled to the form, and following careful examination of the photographs, the sampler must sign the reverse to confirm that they are a true likeness of the individual they have sampled.

The collection card for Mouth Swab samples incorporates an identification section which must also be completed and signed by both the Donor and the sampler.

Payment for the Sampler In private cases, recognised by the case number prefix P or W, the individuals who attend the appointment are responsible for paying your fee. In the majority of Cellmark’s cases you will be responsible for collecting the sampling fee.

We recommend that you collect this fee at or before the appointment.

In CSA cases, recognised by the case number prefixes A, B or C, Cellmark will be responsible for paying the sampling fee. We will pay £27.50 for one sample, £38.50 for two samples and £49.50 for three samples taken at the same appointment. These fees are quoted excluding VAT. A payment form will be enclosed with the sampling kit, this should be completed and returned with the samples. Payment will then be made by BACS or cheque. Please provide your bank details below if you would prefer to be paid by BACS.

YOUR INVOLVEMENT ENDS AFTER THE SAMPLING APPOINTMENT

Some DNA relationship cases may arise as part of legal proceedings. However, in the tens of thousands of paternity cases that Cellmark has carried out over the last 21 years, it has never been necessary for the doctor to appear in court. Indeed, our results are so conclusive that it has only ever been necessary for Cellmark to provide expert testimony in a handful of cases.

Kit Contents Each Mouth Swab sampling kit contains the following:

A Mouth Swab A collection card A plastic bag with identification label and sampling instructions A sample declaration form A postage-paid tamperproof return envelope

Further Information If you have any further questions about Cellmark’s DNA relationship testing services please contact a member of our Customer Services Department, free, on 0800 0362522.