A DNA paternity test is a scientific test performed to determine if a man is or is not the biological father of a child. A standard test is completed using cheek swabs from the mother, child and alleged father however testing may occur even without a sample from the child’s mother (i.e. motherless paternity test).

While a routine test uses a non-invasive cheek swab from all three parties, Orchid Cellmark is able to test other non-standard samples which may be collected from one or more of the parties. Clients can choose from either a court-ready or curiosity test. A court ready test requires specimen collection by an unbiased third party specimen collector under strictly controlled Chain of Custody procedures, while a sample for a curiosity test can be taken in a non-clinical setting without a rigid chain of custody procedure.