Collecting Samples

Chewing gum sample collection(special sample)

Sample size:1-2 tablets

Sampling tool:chewing gum

Sampling requirenments:recommended chewing gum chewing time 8-10 minutes

Sampling operation:Do not discard the inner wrapper of chewing gum.It can be used to wrap the chewing gum,After collecting it,put it in a clean paper envelope,seal it,and mark the identity:father/mother/child+name(available pseudonym)+sample name+sampling date,mail the sample.

Cigarette sample collection(special sample)

Sample size:3-5 cigarette butts.

Sampling tools:tweezers or disposable gloves,clean paper envelopes

Sampling requirements:stayed in the recent smoking,dry,smokeless ash attached.

Sampling operation:Hold the cigarette butts with tweezers,collect them,put them in a clean paper envelope,seal them,mark the identity:father/mother/child+name(available pseudonym)+sample name+sampling date,mail the sample.

Toothbrush sample collection(special sample)

Number of samples:1 piece,if more are available together.

Sampling tools:clean paper towels and paper envelopes.

Sampling requirements:no mixed use,continuous use for 1 month,no more than one week from the last use.

Sampling operation:Put the toothbrush into a clean paper envelope, seal it,mark the identity:father/mother/child+name(available pseudonym)+sample name+sampling date,mail the sample.

Nail sample collection (special sample)

Sample size:10 or more

Sampling tools:nail clippers,clean paper towels and paper envelopes,disposable gloves.

Sampling requirements:

1.Wash hands and nails to ensure clean and non-polluting samples.

2.Try to be close to the root cut,if the nail is short,it is recommended to cut the fingernails and toenails together,put it on a clean white paper,wrap it in a paper envelope.Mark the identity:father/mother/child+name(available pseudonym)+sample name+sampling date.

3.Mail the sample.

Hair sample collection(conventional sample)

Sample size:5-8 hair follicles

Sampleing tools:clean paper towels or white paper,paper envelopes

Sampling steps:

1.     Wash your hands (to avoid sweat stains on your hands and affect DNA extraction)

2.     Grasp the distance of about 4 cm from the root of the hair ,and pull out 5~8 hairs on a clean white paper (clear hair follicles at the end of the hair,that is,white matter at the root of the hair)

3.     It takes 2-3 minutes to dry and then wrap the paper envelope with a paper tower.Mark the identity:father/mother/child+name(available pseudonym)+sample name+sampling date.

4.     Mail the sample

Notice:

1.     Look at the light and make sure the hair has hair follicles.

2.     The sample needs to be naturally dry,not exposed to the sun,or blown dry with a mouth or a hair dryer.

3.     Please do not use plastic bags to pack samples.High temperature weather will affect the sample quality.

4.     Children under the age of 5 are not recommended to collect hair (hair follicles are not well developed to affect DNA extraction)

Buccal swab sample (conventional sample):

Sample size: 3 single-headed cotton swabs

Sampling tools: single-head medical cotton swabs, clean paper towels, paper envelopes

Sampling steps:

1.Clear water mouth

2.Collecting the DNA samples by firmly rubbing the swabs on the inside of each cheek (30 times each or for about 1 minute)

3.Take out the cotton swab and put it on a clean white paper or paper towel. It takes 3-5 minutes to dry and then wrap the paper envelope.

4.Mark the identity: father/mother/child+name(available pseudonym)+sample name+sampling date,

5.Mail the sample

Tips:

Drying your swabs is simple but you need to make sure you keep them clean and that swabs from different people do not ever come into contact with each other (remember there is the possibility of DNA contamination if this happens). We like to recommend that clients use clean water glasses to dry their swabs; one water glass for the swabs of every test participant, placing them cotton side up.

Sample collection can be performed at any age including newborn babies. Make sure that no food or drinks (except water) have been consumed within one hour of sampling.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test sample collection

The maternal sample collection:

Sampling time:Gestation≥7 weeks.

Sample:10ml of maternal venous blood（Use Cell-free DNA BCT Streck Tube）

The alleged father’s samples collection:

l  2-5ml of alleged father venous blood(Use EDTA Anticoagulant)

l  Semen or semen stains

l  5-10 hairs with hair follicle

l  5-10 fingernails

l  Gum or toothbrush

Notice:

The following patients are NOT suitable for non-invasive Prenatal Paternity Test

l  Had organ transplant,stem cell and bone marrow transplants.

l  Had external DNA therapy for immune system within 4 weeks.

l  Had blood transfusion within 2 years.

l  Having three or more fetuses.

l  Providing all alleged father’s samples if fraternal twins.

l  Pregnancy woman with gestational toxemia or tumor.

Caution for sample collection and transporting samples.

l  Collect valided agreement and ensure the details and sample are true and reliable.

l  Fasting is unnecessary before sample collection,blood sample must be stored in anticoagulant tube for accuracy of test.

l  During sample collecting ,blood flow on uni-direction to avoid chemicals flowing reversely from tube.

l  Ensure sufficient and appropriate volume of sample.

l  Transport the sample under room temperature but not over 72 hours.