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 Legal DNA Collection (DDC)

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1. Scheduling the Appointment

  • When a caller requests a legal DNA test, schedule an appointment for their preferred date and time.
  • Inform them that every adult participant (18+) must receive results individually, as required for legal testing.

2. Check-In & Personal Authorization Form

  • When participants arrive, provide the Personal Authorization Form to the paying client.
  • They must list all email addresses where legal results should be sent.
  • The mother will also fill out the child’s information on the back of the form (full name, DOB, gender).

3. Payment

  • Collect payment before beginning the collection:
    • Log into QBO
    • Create a Sales Receipt
    • Accept payment
  • Print or provide the receipt per normal procedure.

4. Prepare Case in the DDC Portal

  • Log into the DDC Portal.
  • Click “Submit Case.”
  • When asked if a Chain of Custody is needed, select:
    1. YES – because this is a legal test.
  • Select the test type:
    1. Standard Trio Paternity (Mother, Child, Alleged Father)
  • Enter full legal names and dates of birth for each participant.
  • Click “Complete.”
  • Print the following:
    1. Case Number Page
    2. Prefilled Legal Chain of Custody Form

5. Gather All Required Documents

Before going to the lab room, make sure you have:

  • Printed Case Number Page
  • Printed Chain of Custody Form
  • Color copies of each adult participant’s ID (Mother and Alleged Father)
  • The mother’s completion of the child’s information

Once everything is in order, proceed to the lab to begin the collection.

6. Prepare DNA Collection Materials

Use the Legal DNA Kit (clear bag).
Inside the kit you will find:

  • 3 labeled collection envelopes
  • 6 swab pouches (2 swabs per pouch = 12 total swabs)
  • Red tamper-evident tape

7. Completing Identification & Chain of Custody

  • Have the mother complete the Chain of Custody information for herself and the child.
  • Have the alleged father sign his name on the color copy of his ID (print, sign, date).
  • They will then swap forms:
    • Alleged father completes his section on the Chain of Custody
    • Mother signs the color copy of her ID
  • Each small collection envelope must be assigned to the correct donor and initialed (Mother signs for child).

8. Collecting DNA Swabs

  • Put on new gloves before starting.
  • Each donor provides 4 total cheek swabs (2 pouches × 2 swabs each).
  • Swab the inside of the cheek one swab at a time, ensuring proper saturation.
  • Place each used swab face down into the correctly labeled envelope.
  • Fold and securely close each envelope once all 4 swabs are collected.

9. Take Participant Photos (Required for Legal Testing)

  • Take clear, color photographs of the participants
    • Either as a group photo or individual photos.
  • Print the photos in color.
  • Have each adult sign their own photo (mother signs for the child).

10. Assemble All Required Documents

Before packaging, ensure you include:

  • Completed Chain of Custody
  • Color copies of participant IDs
  • Signed color photographs
  • All collection envelopes containing the cheek swabs

It is strongly recommended to write the case number on each document for tracking.

11. Package and Seal the Collection

  • Place all completed documents and the three collection envelopes back into the clear DDC sample bag.
  • Seal the bag securely.
  • Apply the red tamper-evident tape across the sealed edge.
  • The collector must sign across the red tape to finalize chain of custody.

12. Shipping & Results

  • Ship the completed kit using the method instructed by DDC.
  • Once results are available in the DDC Portal, each adult participant will receive a copy.
  • You may also email results to the addresses listed on the Personal Authorization Form.
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