10/29/2026
TThinking about bringing hair, nail clippings, or home-collected swabs for DNA testing? Call us before collecting. The wrong sample or packaging could lead to an unsuccessful processing attempt.
WHAT CAN BE USED?
• Cheek swabs are preferred. Use an approved DNA collection kit and follow its instructions.
• Hair requires lab approval. DDC recommends 7–10 hairs with attached roots/follicular material. Cut hair is not recommended.
• Nail clippings and other unusual samples need approval and specific collection instructions. Usable DNA is not guaranteed.
COLLECTION & PACKAGING
For cheek swabs:
• Hold the handle without touching the tip.
• Rub inside the cheeks as directed. Collect cheek cells—do not spit on swabs.
• Air-dry as instructed if overly wet.
• Place collected swabs in the paper sample envelope, not back in their plastic wrapper or directly in a plastic bag.
For approved hair or nail samples:
• Follow the instructions provided for your sample.
• Package dry samples in separate, clean paper envelopes.
• Keep each person’s samples and each sample type separate.
• Label with the person’s name, sample type, and collection date.
• Keep cool and dry. Avoid touching hair roots.
Avoid mixed, unidentified, wet, moldy, or contaminated samples. Do not assume hair from a brush is suitable. If you already collected a sample, call before bringing it.
CAN THESE SAMPLES BE USED IN COURT?
Home-collected samples brought to us are for non-legal, peace-of-mind testing only.
Legal testing must be arranged BEFORE collection. It requires an authorized collector, identity verification, consent, and documented chain of custody. Showing ID afterward does not make a home-collected sample legal.
ARE THERE EXTRA FEES?
Each unusual sample has a separate processing charge in addition to the relationship test. Hair plus nail clippings means two unusual-sample charges.
Fees are explained before submission. The processing attempt is non-refundable once performed, even if usable DNA cannot be recovered.
Call before collecting so we can explain your options and instructions.
Purpose DNA & Health
1-855-570-7110
www.purposedna.com