Twin Testing
Overview
Testing Options
Testing Steps
Why Orchid Cellmark?
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FAQs About Twin Testing
General
Specimen Collection
Fees
Results
Other DNA Services
Give us a Call1-800-DNA-TEST
Find a Collection Center
Orchid utilizes a network of over 5000 collection sites worldwide.
Orchid utilizes a network of over 5000 collection sites worldwide.
Accreditations
Orchid Cellmark holds multiple accreditations from various organizations and adheres to the standards of each accrediting organization. Compliance by our laboratories to these accreditation requirements provides assurance to our clients that test results provided by Orchid Cellmark are of the highest quality. Clink on the links above to learn more about our accreditations.
Orchid Cellmark holds multiple accreditations from various organizations and adheres to the standards of each accrediting organization. Compliance by our laboratories to these accreditation requirements provides assurance to our clients that test results provided by Orchid Cellmark are of the highest quality. Clink on the links above to learn more about our accreditations.
Twin Testing
Testing Steps
A DNA test involves essentially 3 steps:
1. SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Court Ready Twin Zygosity Test - Once we have received your order, our Scheduling Department will contact all tested parties to arrange for a specimen collection appointment at one of our 5000 convenient specimen collection sites.
Tested parties will need to bring the following to their appointment:
- Government issued identification for the child (e.g. birth certificate, medical card)
The cheek swab samples are obtained by rubbing cotton-tipped applicators along the inside cheek wall of the mouth of each party to be tested. The procedure is painless and takes less than 2 minutes per person.
Curiosity Twin Zygosity Test – Once we have received your order, we will send specimen collection kits to each party indicated on the application form. Specimen Collection Instructions will be provided with the kits. There is no extensive chain of custody procedure to follow because the tests are being conducted for the client’s own knowledge and do not need to be accepted in court. The cheek swab samples are obtained by rubbing cotton-tipped applicators around the inside cheek wall of the mouth of each party to be tested. The procedure is painless and takes less than 2 minutes per person. Once the samples have been collected, the clients send the kits back to Orchid Cellmark in the packaging provided with the kits.
2. LABORATORY TESTING
Once the samples are received by our laboratory, the following steps occur:
- Samples are assigned a unique bar code and are logged into our laboratory database
- Samples and paperwork are examined for completeness
- Samples are analyzed
- DNA profiles are triple checked
- Reports are generated
- Final report is verified by Ph.D. Laboratory Director
3. DISTRIBUTION OF RESULTS
Upon completion of the test, results will be distributed to the person who requested the test by mail.