FORENSIC DNA TESTING

From infedility testing and testing unusal samples, to assisting in criminal cases and the identification of disaster victims, our laboratory is fully equipped and experienced in handling forensic DNA testing.

Since 1996, we have worked with the police, the courts, NGOs, and disaster relief teams in setting the standard for forensic testing.

Please email us at [email protected] and let us know your specific case. We’re happy to give no-obligation advice.

DNA PROFILING

GENERATE A GENETIC PROFILE OF A DNA SAMPLE

Use Legal or Peace-of-Mind
Processing Time approx. 7-10 business days (tests using unusual samples will take longer)
Accuracy Varied based on type of sample provided
Details DNA Profiling (or DNA Typing) is a test where a single DNA profile is generated from a sample that you provide. Our standard report provides a profile of 16 loci obtained from STR analysis, or up to 27 loci, depending on your needs, and at no extra charge to you. For infidelity cases, DNA Profiling is often done in conjunction with a Semen/Blood Detection Test. DNA profiles can be used for legal purposes when all samples have followed the strict chain-of-custody process. In this case, DNA profiles may be used to avoid future immigration issues, future inheritance issues, and other legal issues in the future. Before purchasing this test, it is important to contact us first, to discuss your requirements and whether this is the right test for you.
Price THB 14,400 (excl. samples sent to lab. For Legal Tests, an additional Chain-of-Custody Fee (CoC) is paid directly to your sample collector)

TEST DETAILS

DNA Profiling (or DNA Typing) is a test where a single DNA profile is generated from a sample that you provide. Our standard report for this test provides a profile of 16 loci obtained from STR analysis. We can provide profile of up to 27 loci, depending on your needs, and at no extra cost to you.

In criminal cases, DNA profiles of individuals are compared with DNA profiles obtained from semen, blood, or other unusual samples.

For infidelity cases, a DNA Profile would be done in conjunction with a Semen or Blood Detection Test. Once it is determined whether the sample is semen/blood, we can then do a DNA Profile on the sample. This would then be compared to a second DNA Profile done on a provided sample of a spouse or partner. Please note that when using a Semen/Blood Detection Test as the basis for further DNA Profiling tests, there is no chain-of-custody of the initial semen/blood sample. Therefore any resulting DNA Profile comparisons can only be used for peace-of-mind purposes. Please see below for extra information regarding Legal Tests and the additional Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee.

DNA profiles can be used for legal purposes when all samples have followed the strict chain-of-custody process. In this case, DNA profiles may be used to avoid future immigration issues, future inheritance issues, and other legal issues in the future.

For example, your child/ren were born and currently live outside of their home country, and they do not yet have citizenship your home country. Some countries require that children undergo a paternity test during their citizenship application. In the event that you, their biological parent, pass away, they will not be able to perform the paternity test. Your DNA profile, taken prior to your death, would aid the process. This is similar ‘insurance’ for future inheritance issues where family relationships are being disputed following the death of a family member.

A simple mouth swab is all that is needed to get a DNA sample from each of the tested parties, however, some unusual samples are accepted. Note that most unusual samples will incur a fee, as we must first extract the DNA in order to analyze it. Contact us for more information.

Before purchasing this test, it is important to contact us first, to discuss your requirements and whether this is the right test for you.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TEST PRICE?

The price for this test includes:

  • 24/7 personal customer support in English and Thai.
  • NOTE: The test fee for DNA Profiling does NOT include shipment of your samples by first-class, international priority courier to our lab in the USA. This is because most people purchase this test in conjunction with a Semen Detection Test or a Blood Detection Test, which already has the courier fee pre-bundled into the test fee. We don’t want to charge you twice. Therefore, if you are purchasing one (1) or more DNA Profiles and also need to send samples to our lab independently of samples already sent for another test, you will need to add this option to your order. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order. Contact us if you’re unsure of your situation.
  • Generation of one (1) DNA Profile of the tested DNA sample provided on cotton tip. To test unusual samples, will need to add this option to your order. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
  • One (1) original, notarized English-language report, and one (1) original, notarized Thai-language report.
  • Emailed results as soon as they are ready.
  • Posting of hard-copy, notarized results to anywhere in the world by regular mail. To express the postage of your hard-copy results, you can upgrade to first-class, international priority courier. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.

CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY (CoC) OF SAMPLES FOR LEGAL TESTS

Tests required for legal or official purposes must follow a strict chain-of-custody of the samples, and will incur an additional Chain-of-Custody fee, which is payable directly to your sample collector. This fee covers the collection of DNA samples by a certified, independent third party, the chain-of-custody of samples, and the identification verification process. Learn more about chain-of-custody of samples in our FAQ.

Following this process means your notarized result report will also be recognized as an official, legal document (note that foreign-issued legal documents used in Thailand also need to be authenticated after they are issued. Learn more about the difference between notarized, legal, and authenticated results in our FAQ.)

The sample collector could be your own doctor (with pre-clearance from PTC), one of our world-wide, certified collection centers, or a PTC representative from our Bangkok office.

  • If you will visit our Bangkok office for your sample collection, or if one of our Bangkok PTC representatives will visit you at your home, hotel, or hospital, you can add the payment for Legal Sample Collection by PTC option to your order. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
  • For all other sample collections, you must pay your sample collector directly. Contact us if you need more information or need to find a certified sample collector near you.

WHAT CAN THESE RESULTS BE USED FOR?

  • A DNA Profile can be used for your own peace-of-mind (you collect your own samples), or for legal, official purposes (your samples must follow a strict strict chain-of-custody procedure, meaning the DNA is collected by a certified, independent third party, and your identity has been verified and documented). Learn more about the difference between legal testing and peace-of-mind testing in our FAQ..
  • DNA profiles that followed chain-of-custody may be used to avoid future immigration issues, future inheritance issues, and other legal issues in the future.
    • For example, your child/ren were born and currently live outside of their home country, and they do not yet have citizenship your home country. Some countries require that children undergo a paternity test during their citizenship application. In the event that you, their biological parent, pass away, they will not be able to perform the paternity test. Your DNA profile, taken prior to your death, would aid the process. This is similar ‘insurance’ for future inheritance issues where family relationships are being disputed following the death of a family member.
  • If you plan to use your results for any legal or official purpose in Thailand or Taiwan, there is an Authentication Process that must be followed, and we can take case of the whole process both in the USA and in Thailand. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
  • Our results are accepted in many countries around the world for Immigration and other official purposes. If you are using your results for Immigration purposes, please read our section on Immigration Testing, and contact us for more information about your specific Embassy, as some Embassies require you to first make an application with them, before doing a DNA Test.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY RESULTS? 

  • Testing times can vary depending on the samples provided. Generally, for tests with good cotton swab samples it will take approx. 7-10 days. Tests using unusual samples will take longer. This includes both the time it takes to send your samples to our lab in the USA (2 business days) by first-class, international priority courier, and also the testing time at our lab.
  • If you are in a hurry, we have an express testing option. Note that if you are using unusual samples in this test, we may not be able to conclude the test within the express timeframe; in this case, you will be refunded for the express fee. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.
  • Your results will be sent to you immediately by email. Your physical results will be sent to your via regular post and will arrive in Thailand approximately 2 weeks after you receive your emailed results.
  • If you’re in a hurry, you can also opt to have your results sent via first-class, international priority courier for an additional fee, and your results will arrive within approximately 2 business days. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order.

WHAT IS THE GUARANTEED PROBABILITY OF THIS TEST?

Provided that the samples are good, you can be assured of 100% accuracy in providing a DNA Profile of the tested sample.

WHAT KIND OF DNA SAMPLES CAN I USE?

  • Samples are usually collected using buccal swabs (sterile Q-Tip/cotton tip) – which are provided in our DNA Sample Collection Kits – by swabbing the inside of the cheek. If you are collecting your own samples for a Peace-of-Mind (PoM) Test, you can view our sample collection guidelines here.
  • If normal samples are not possible to obtain, you can view our Unusual Samples page to see what other types of samples can be used for this test. Most unusual samples will incur a fee, as we must first extract the DNA in order to analyze it. Contact us for more information.
  • Samples already provided in a previous Semen or Blood Detection Test can also be used to do a DNA Profile. Contact us for more information.

DNA TESTING FOR LEGAL PURPOSES

In order for a DNA test to be used for legal purposes, certain processes and requirements must be met.

  1. The DNA samples must be collected by a certified, independent third party.
    • This sample collector must also be able to testify in court that they collected samples correctly.
  2. The DNA samples must follow a strict Chain of Custody procedure, from the point of sample collection, all the way to testing at our laboratory.
    • It is also important that the people being tested are never left alone with their samples.
  3. The people being tested have had their identities verified.
    • To prevent someone providing samples on behalf of someone else, we must verify the people being tested are who they say they are.
    • This calls for additional paperwork, ID, photographs, thumbprints, contact details, and more.
  • Nothing. The actual testing / analysis of DNA for a Legal (Chain-of-Custody) Test and a Peace-of-Mind (PoM) Test is identical. Both undergo the same rigorous testing, both are guaranteed at a minimum of 99.99%, and both are issued with notarized result reports.
  • The difference is that Legal DNA Tests have had DNA samples collected by a certified independent third party and have followed chain-of-custody. Furthermore, the people being tested must have their identity verified and documented.
  • However, in a PoM Test, you can collect your own samples and send them to us for testing. Therefore, a PoM Test cannot be used for immigration, custody or any other legal purposes because the above three criteria have not been met.

When you go to your sample collection appointment, be sure to bring:

  • Photo ID
  • Birth Certificate for children

At your appointment, we will:

  • Take copies of your Photo ID / Birth Certificate.
  • Get thumbprints (or for babies we sometimes get footprints) of all people being tested.
  • Take a ‘mug shot’ of all people being tested.
  • Fill out consent forms and other paperwork.
If you want to use your results in Thailand, the answer is “yes”. But you can make this decision once you know the result of your test.
  • We are one of the very few foreign laboratories that can issue results that are accepted in Thailand, as well as abroad.
  • If you were to take paternity test with the Thai Police Hospital, your results do not need to be authenticated. However, it usually a minimum of four months to get your results with the Thai Police Hospital, and your results won’t be accepted outside of Thailand. There are currently no AABB-accredited DNA laboratories based in Thailand.