GP's originally became involved in DNA testing because blood was the prefered sample type.
Cellmark is one of the largest private paternity and forensic DNA testing laboratories in Europe. Established in 1987 we now have 25 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 Human Genetics Commission's Common Framework of Principles on Genetic Testing. Cellmark’s results are accepted by UK courts as evidence of claimed relationships and our quality procedures are accredited to ISO17025 standards. 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.
The sampler must not be related to the Donor and must have no financial interest in the outcome of the test.
When our clients request a DNA relationship test one of the first things that needs to be done is to arrange a sampling appointment. We can arrange this on their behalf using our partners Medicals Direct or or they can use their own GP, or they may choose a doctor from the our registered list of samplers.
If the customer does NOT wish to use our own sampling service they will need to 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 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 using the tamperproof postage-paid packaging provided.
Please Note: Donors must never be allowed access to the samples they have provided and MUST NOT be given their own samples to post back to Cellmark.
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, contact our customer servcies team for the latest prices. 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.
The sampler's involvement ends once the sample has been received at our laboratory - in all the paternity cases that Cellmark has carried out over the last 25 years, it has never been necessary for the doctor to appear in court. Indeed it has only ever been necessary for Cellmark to provide expert testimony in a handful of cases.
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
View and download a pdf version of our Paternity Testing brochure.
Cellmark provides a range of information in electronic format which you can add to your
practice's intranet- request a copy
The key points you and your patients need to consider when choosing which company to use.
We are always interested in expanding our list of samplers. If you would like to be included please give us your details and we'll send you the paperwork.
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