"Microgene is a trusted laboratory in Toronto with years of experience. Their Ph.D. laboratory experts are ready to welcome you when you are ready to start the DNA testing process. Visit https://www.microgene.ca for more information. "

1. What Are the Different Types
of DNA Tests?

2. Introduction
Most everyone has heard of DNA testing in the movies or on TV crime dramas. In many
cases, it is DNA testing that ends up solving a crime or determining who someone’s
father is. Of course, DNA testing also has a part in the real world, and is used for various
applications every single day.
DNA refers to ‘deoxyribonucleic acid’, which is present in every
cell of every person’s body. Each person’s DNA is unique to that
person, and it can be used for identification or matching
purposes.
With most DNA tests, a cotton swab is swiped on the inside of
the cheek to obtain saliva sample. From that tiny sample, the
DNA lab will learn everything they need to know. Here are the
common types of DNA tests and why they may be performed.

3. Paternity Test
The paternity test is one of the more common types of DNA tests, as it is often featured
on some popular daytime talk shows. A paternity test is designed to determine a
biological connection between a father and a child. In some cases, testing for paternity is
carried out as a legal matter, and sometimes it is just to find out.
A legal paternity test may be carried out for reasons such as:
•Payment of child support
•Child custody disputes
•Collecting an inheritance
•To acquire a birth certificate
•Contesting an immigration decision
•Tax situations

4. Paternity Test
In some cases, it may be necessary to determine
paternity before the child is even born. This may be
accomplished through a prenatal DNA test. Not all
labs offer this type of test, but it is perfectly safe
when performed properly. Make sure the lab you
use has experience in this type of test and is
reputable before you consent

5. Siblings DNA Test
A DNA test also exists to determine if two people
are either full or half siblings. If you aren’t sure, the
test will show if two children share one parent or
both parents, or neither parent. This test may be
used if an alleged father isn’t available for a
paternity test, and the test is reliable enough to use
in any legal setting.

6. Grandparent DNA Test
A grandparent DNA test will confirm whether there
is a biological link between either grandparent and a
grandchild. If an alleged father isn’t available for
testing, the alleged father’s parents can do the
testing to find out if they are the grandparents.

7. Avuncular DNA Test
The avuncular DNA test seeks to determine
whether someone is the biological aunt or uncle of a
particular child. This kind of test is often used if the
alleged father is deceased or otherwise unavailable
for testing.

8. yDNA Test
The yDNA test is able to confirm whether two or more males share the
same biological lineage. This test can determine if various males with
the same surname actually share the same ancestry or not. All males
that share the same common ancestor back in time, will also share the
same yDNA.

9. Mitochondrial DNA Test
A mitochondrial DNA test is designed to trace someone’s female
ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA is passed down from mothers to children
unchanged, and if a match is found with another person’s mtDNA
result, it may mean a common ancestor exists in the matrilineal
ancestry.

10. Special Situations
Sometimes, situations will come about where getting a good sample
directly from a person is not possible. If someone has passed away or
can’t be found, the standard way of doing things just isn’t possible.
For these kinds of special situations, it is often
possible to get the necessary sample using non-
standard methods. If the mouth swab directly from
the test person is not available, the following items
can be used to obtain a DNA sample for any of the
common DNA tests.

11. Samples
• Cigarette Butts – try to obtain two to four cigarette butts that were only smoked by the
person in question.
• Cotton Swabs – you need swabs that were used to clean the ears.
• Hats or Baseball Gloves
• Underwear
• Dental Floss – the floss can’t be touched with your fingers.
• Hairs – up to ten separate hairs with the roots attached.
• Chewing Gum – the gum can’t be touched with your fingers.
• Toothbrush – allow the brush to air dry for at least one hour.
• Fingernails or Toenails – chewed or freshly cut.
• Toothpick – don’t touch the toothpick with your fingers.
• Tissue – mucous on a standard tissue paper.
• Razors – can be a razor used on any part of the body.
• Blood – from a tissue, bandage, tampon.
• Sperm – from a condom, tissue or underwear.

12. Advice
These kinds of samples can work, but if you send them in no
reputable lab will guarantee that the test will be successful.
Because the lab doesn’t carry out the testing, the quality of the
samples can’t be assured prior to testing.
Microgene is a trusted laboratory in Toronto with years of
experience. Their Ph.D. laboratory experts are ready to welcome
you when you are ready to start the DNA testing process.