DNA RELATIONSHIP TESTING
Relationship testing is undertaken using DNA analysis called Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling. A minimum of 22 STR tests are used to analyse a claimed relationship. In paternity cases when a mother, child and father are tested, Cellmark will either exclude the man with 100% certainty, or provide a probability of paternity in excess of 99.9999%.
Developments in the sensitivity of DNA analysis mean that your sample can be taken, simply and painlessly, using mouth swabs. For your test results to be accepted by the UK courts you will need to have the sampling to be taken by an independent person, someone who is either a medically qualified practitioner or a testing lab trained sampler, who has no financial interest in the outcome of the tests.
Any reputable DNA testing company, such as Cellmark, will be accredited by the Ministry of Justice as a body that may carry out parentage tests as directed by the civil courts in England and Wales under section 20 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969. This means that they abide by the terms of the Human Tissue Act, adhere to the Human Genetics Commission's "Common Framework of Principles", their labs have the relevant ISO accreditation (ISO17025) and they market their services in an ethical manner.
Established in 1987 Cellmark pioneered the introduction of DNA analysis for paternity testing and has already undertaken DNA sampling for over 500,000 people - just like you.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE SMALL PRINT!
The DNA testing market has become increasingly competitive and a number of companies are claiming to be the cheapest but make sure that you are comparing like for like - not all companies include the same details in their basic price.
Cellmark includes the following in our standard price:
ALL sampling kits AND the cost of sending them to UK sampling locations
Pre-paid return envelopes to safely transport the samples to our laboratory
The cost of testing the samples once they have been received at our laboratory
Our standard turn around time - NEXT (working) DAY - this covers paternity, immigration, sibling, avuncular and grandparentage tests - not just for paternity tests
The cost of producing and delivering the final test report to the “customer”
Our advice service for the duration of the case – before and after the final test report – accessible via email, FreePhone 0800 036 2522, and our web Chat service.
Please note our standard fee does not cover the cost of taking the samples, these must be paid direct to the sampler at the sampling appointment. However if required we can arrange a pre-paid sampling appointment on your behalf.
GET ACCESS TO INDEPENDENT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
Cellmark is committed to ensuring that all parties have access to independent advice and guidance and the following links may help you in making your decision to proceed (or not to proceed) with testing.
England and Wales:
Get a DNA test
CAFCASS 0300 456 4000
Child Maintenance 0800 988 0988
Citizens Advice 03444 111 444
Families Need Fathers 0300 0300 363
Gingerbread 0808 802 0925
Relate 0300 100 1234
Scotland:
Family Matters
Children in Scotland 0131 313 2322
One Parent Families Scotland 0808 801 0323
Scottish Child Law Centre 0131 667 6333
Ireland:
Citizens Information 0761 07 400
Child and Family Agency 01 7718500
One Family 1 662 9212
Treior 1890 252 084
If you have any concerns please phone our Customer Services team on 0800 036 2522.
AN EXCELLENT AND NON-INVASIVE MEANS OF DETECTING SUBSTANCE USE
Hair drug & alcohol testing is an excellent and non-invasive means of detecting substance use over an extended period of time. Our fully validated in-house methodology is based on state-of-the art technology, using equipment which has been specifically selected to perform at the highest levels, enabling fast turn-around-times without compromising on quality. We exceed the guidelines for hair testing that have been published by the Society of Hair Testing that specify the markers to be tested for and the cutoff concentrations that need to be tested.
Guidance was set out in a 2010 judgement by Judge Moylan as to the use of hair strand testing for alcohol in Children's Act proceedings. The judgement sets out in detail the forms of hair strand testing currently available and is also of note as it provides a clear reminder to experts who produce reports within Children Act proceedings of their duties under the Practice Direction 'Experts in Family Proceedings Relating to Children' (2009) 2 FLR 1383.
Hair strand testing is generally still reliable to test for frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol. This has to be read with the caveats that:
It is still possible for a parent to seek to reduce the level of detection by either shampooing or bleaching their hair.
It is still possible that the level of detection may be increased by, for example, the use of products on the hair which contain alcohol, or as a result of other factors including through alimentary alcohol being present in food (e.g. some breads).
The "cut-offs" for frequent and excessive consumption have been set through empirical research and ROC analysis, and are set at a point where the results were understood to produce 10% false positive and 10% false negative results.
The analysis of the hair strand test results should be for a minimum period of three months.
When used, the tests should only form part of the evidential picture. However, where the results are 'very high' such results might form a 'significant part of the evidential picture'.
ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING THEMSELVES IN COURT
With the changes in legal aid funding it has meant that many more people are having to represent themselves in court - in March 2013 the Master of the Rolls issued a Practice Guidance totaling 422 pages was issued to the Courts to ensure that LIPs receive equal treatment. The guidance has been summarised.
Excellent and more user-friendly advice can be found in a number of places:
Guidance for lawyers by the Law Society, particularly Annex B is helpful for LIPs.
As is the guidance offered by Child Law Advice's website.
Cellmark's experienced Customer Services team is adept at assisting LIPs in getting the sort of testing they require and providing reports that are accepted by the courts. For further information phone our team on 0800 036 2522.
