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There are many DNA samples one can use in a paternity test or any other type of DNA test as an alternative to standard saliva samples. You can use forensic samples (sometimes referred to as forensic DNA samples) when a person who is required to take the DNA test is unavailable or deceased. In such cases, clients may wish to send in cigarette ends, envelopes, semen, used Kleenex, stained underwear.

The fact that there are so many samples which can be used to provide conclusive laboratory DNA testing results; saliva sample, blood samples, DNA tests with semen and tests with hair and  nails  can all be used as mediums for testing.

The most common sample requests which up to date cannot be used for your forensic DNA test/forensic DNA test are:

DNA Testing with Urine:  Scientists are working on it. Urine may contain DNA fragments which may be picked up when urine passes through the filters in our kidneys. However, it is still a long way away from being a viable medium for DNA testing. Scientists have other priorities for urine and DNA. In future, it may be possible to carry out a DNA test using urine to see if an organ transplant has been accepted or rejected by its recipient. Moreover, genetic testing could possibly be done on fetuses by taking a urine sample from the mother to establish whether they are predisposed to any genetic diseases. The benefit of this type of test on a fetus is that it will be non-invasive.

Urine DNA tests in Standard DNA Testing: The problem with urine is that is contains a mixture of bi-products of the human body including ammonia, uric acid and urea. These chemicals all cause any DNA fragments in urine to rapidly degrade. Thus, using a forensic DNA sample like urine in future paternity tests, immigration tests or other DNA tests is made difficult because of the rate at which it degrades. There would need to be a very short time frame between the time of micturition (urinating) and laboratory testing. Moreover, laboratory testing would have to also be immediate.

Water glass/Wine glass DNA Test: They can be used to carry out a DNA test. The sampling method requires rinsing the part where the lips have come into contact with the glass with distilled or deionised water and then with a sterile swab (purchased from a pharmacy) rubbing that part of the glass (that has come into contact with the lips and been rinsed) in order to gather cheek cells. Very few DNA testing companies encourage or even advertise the use of this specific forensic sample because the success rate is very low and often laboratory testing does not extract enough DNA to conclude the test.

DNA Test with Sweat: A condition referred to medically as ‘perspiration’; sweat is a cooling mechanism for the body and help maintain constant internal body conditions. However, it essentially water and dissolved salts and in itself does not contain any cells or DNA. However, we do naturally shed skin cells constantly form our body even when stationary. When we sweat, for example while doing sports, the frictions between our sporting gear and our skin cause the shedding of many skin cells which then may stick (or fall off) to clothes or hats along with the sweat produced. Sending in a sweaty garment may be used as a forensic DNA sample; however, the success rate with this is again very low.

DNA testing is quite straightforward; however, being aware of which samples are better than others can help you choose your sample if you happen to have a number of possible DNAsamples available. The company you choose should always be consulted for proper guidelines.

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