Nails/Toothbrush DNA Viability Studies

How Does Nails/Toothbrush DNA Viability Studies Work?

• Order your Nail or Toothbrush DNA VIABILITY TEST for £199.00
• This cost covers a viability study for one toothbrush. Our scientists will work to extract a DNA profile from the toothbrush provided. If you want to send more than one toothbrush (e.g. for multiple children) please select this option while placing your order (additional fee applies)
• You will also need to choose the DNA relationship test that you want (e.g. paternity, maternity, sibling). Please note that this DNA relationship test can ONLY be performed if a DNA profile can be extracted from the toothbrush
• Once you have placed your order, your test kit will be sent out immediately in discreet, plain packaging
• The kit will contain everything you need to return your toothbrush(es) or nail chippings to our laboratory, and to perform the subsequent DNA relationship test using cheek swabs, assuming a profile can be extracted from the toothbrush(es).
• Follow the instructions provided in your test kit to collect cheek swab samples and return them to our laboratory, together with the used toothbrush
• Once received, our scientists will work to extract a DNA profile from the toothbrush provided
• If a DNA profile can be retrieved from the toothbrush, we can then proceed with your chosen DNA relationship test
• We will analyse and compare the cheek swab DNA samples with the DNA profile from the toothbrush, to determine whether the tested individuals are related

When is discrete DNA testing useful?

Consent is needed for any person over the age of 16 supplying their DNA for laboratory testing. This means that anyone over the age of 16 needs to provide written consent (a signature) for a DNA test to be performed. However, for children under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian with parental responsibility can supply written consent on behalf of a child undertaking DNA testing. As such, discrete samples like nails or toothbrush DNA testing are useful when you want to collect a DNA sample from an older child under 16 years of age, and using a cheek swab could lead to awkward questions. LEARN MORE

Another advantage of hair or toothbrush DNA testing is that it can help you to obtain a DNA profile from an individual who has passed away. This is because DNA cannot always be collected from cheek cells using a swab in deceased individuals. However, DNA can be collected from the deceased’s used toothbrush if the next of kin supplies consent.

Also, DNA can be collected from the deceased hairbrush or comb. An extracted DNA profile from such a toothbrush can be used to verify a biological relationship to a living relative, using the correct DNA relationship test such as the Y-chromosome test if both dead and living relatives are males.

Discreet sample Viability study ONLY -  £199.00

You must also purchase your required DNA test kit for the full DNA test