When you have questions about family relationships, a DNA test can provide definitive answers. Although you can purchase a home DNA testing kit and conduct it in the privacy of your home, you should always invest in a professional test. It might cost more money upfront, but a legal DNA test has the following distinct advantages.

3 Reasons to Choose a Legal DNA Test

1. Improved Sample Quality

When you use a home DNA testing kit, it usually involves taking a cheek swab to collect cells from the people being tested. The process is similar in a legal testing environment, with the primary difference being that the swab is taken by a trained professional who must follow specific protocols to ensure sample quality. Even if you follow the instructions on your own, you can contaminate the sample through improper handling, rendering it unusable. The results of the test are only as accurate as the sample, so choose a legal analysis to ensure proper collection.

2. More Accurate Sample Handling

Unless you personally collect DNA samples from everyone you want to test, how can you be sure that the samples belong to the right person? When using home DNA tests, the samples you submit could belong to someone other than who you think, potentially affecting the results.

With a legal DNA test, the testing center follows strict practices to ensure all samples are accurate, including checking the identification of the individuals being tested and following a specific chain of custody to prevent mix-ups. You can be more confident in the accuracy of the results because professionals handle the samples correctly.

3. Legal Protection

Home DNA test kits and services are designed to provide peace of mind only. Because of the potential issues with samples and the chain of custody, the results of a home test are not admissible in court if there are questions about paternity or other family relationships. At that point, you would likely need to undergo a legal test to submit to the court, at an additional cost. If you’re looking for a test to use as evidence in legal proceedings, professional analysis is the smart choice.

For convenient, accurate DNA testing in the St. Louis, MO, area, turn to AccuDNA. This locally owned, affordable, and confidential professional testing facility uses cheek cells to provide accurate results. Call (314) 845-9997 or contact the center online today to schedule your test. You can also find additional relationship testing information by visiting their Facebook page.