OTHER RELATIONSHIP TESTING
There are many reasons why you might need to establish a DNA relationship between different people – alive, deceased, or simply not available for testing – who may or may not be related. These reasons range from wanting to have peace-of-mind to legal cases, such as custody challenges or inheritance claims.
We can help you put the pieces together.
Please email us at [email protected] and let us know your specific case. We’re happy to give no-obligation advice.
FAMILY RECONSTRUCTION & SIBSHIP TESTING
RECONSTRUCT A FAMILY TREE TO PROVE RELATIONSHIPS
| Use | Legal or Peace-of-Mind |
| Processing Time | approx. 1 month |
| Accuracy | Varied based on who is available for testing and what relationship you are trying to establish |
| Details | A Family Reconstruction DNA Test is used to establish whether a group of two or more individuals are related, particularly when not all are available for testing. A Sibship DNA Test is used to establish whether two Alleged Siblings share the same Father or the same Mother (when Alleged Father/Alleged Mother is not available for testing). As all cases are unique, and since these tests involve complex genetic analysis, please contact us for an obligation-free consultation to discuss your needs and requirements. |
| Price | THB 29,400 [up to 5 people] (for Legal Tests, an additional Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee is paid directly to your sample collector) |
TEST DETAILS
A Family Reconstruction DNA Test is used to establish whether a group of two or more individuals are related, particularly when not all are available for testing; such as showing that two people Cousins; that people share the same Grandfather (or Grandmother); or many more relationship scenarios. The Family Reconstruction Test is generally used to prove paternity or maternity when the Alleged Father or Alleged Mother is not available for testing.
A Sibship DNA Test is used to establish whether two Alleged Siblings share:
- the same Father (when Alleged Father is not available for testing)
- the same Mother (when Alleged Mother is not available for testing)
As all cases are unique, and that these tests involve complex genetic analysis, please contact us for an obligation-free consultation to discuss your needs and requirements. We need to know exactly what type of relationship you would like to determine, and who is available to give DNA samples, in order to gauge whether the test is possible, or not.
It is important that you provide us with a sketch of a family tree during the consultation, noting those who are available for testing and those who are unavailable (whether deceased, unwilling, or otherwise, please indicate which). We can work with you to create this family tree diagram, which is needed for both Family Reconstruction and Sibship Tests.
A simple mouth swab is all that is needed to get a DNA sample from each of the tested parties. 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.
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?
Whether you need a Peace-of-Mind (At-Home) Test, or a Legal (Chain-of-Custody) Test, the actual lab testing and analysis is identical, with the same level of rigorous testing methods. The only difference for a legal test is in how your samples are collected (see below).
The price includes:
- 24/7 personal customer support in English and Thai.
- DNA Sample Collection Kit, containing everything you or your sample collector need to collect samples and complete paperwork. Note that this test fee does not include the Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee for legal sample collection, which is paid directly to your sample collector. Please see below for extra information regarding Legal Tests and the additional Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Fee.
- One (1) shipment of your samples (up to 0.5 kg in one shipment) by first-class, international priority courier to our lab in the USA.
- Testing of DNA samples provided on cotton tip for up to five (5) family members. To test additional people, you will need to add this option to your order. Scroll down the page to add this option to your order. To use unusual samplesin this test, you 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.
- A Family Reconstruction or Sibship DNA Test Test 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.
- 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, inheritance, 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?
- For this type of test, testing times can very greatly depending on what relationship you are testing and whose DNA samples have been provided. Generally, for tests with good samples, it will take approx. 1 month. 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.
- There are no express testing options for this type of test.
- 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 two (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 priority courier for an additional fee, and your results will arrive within approximately two (2) business days.
WHAT IS THE GUARANTEED PROBABILITY OF THIS TEST?
Due to the nature of this test, and the number of variables involved, there is a varying degree of the probability of relationship for Family Reconstruction & Sibship DNA Tests. The results will depend heavily on whose DNA samples have been provided for testing, and what type of relationship you are trying to determine.
While everyone’s DNA is unique, close relatives will share some common genetic markers, due to the DNA being hereditary. Children inherit 50% of their DNA from the Mother, and 50% from the Father, however, which part of the DNA is inherited from which parent is random. Without either Mother or Father available for testing, we will need as many other closely related family members as possible to get the best possible result.
If the individuals in question are actually related, we will get a high percentage in the event of a positive result. The more related family members who provide DNA samples, the better the result will be. However, if the individuals in question are NOT actually related, a 0% result will not be possible. Only a low percentage result will be possible.
These tests involve complex genetic analysis and two cases are rarely the same. We are happy to discuss this further with you.
WHAT KIND OF DNA SAMPLES CAN I USE?
- The samples are usually collected using buccal swabs (sterile Q-Tip/cotton tip) – which are provided in our sample collection kits – by swabbing the inside of the cheek. If you are collecting your own samples for a Peace-of-Mind test, you can view our 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.
THE ALLEGED FATHERS OF THE CHILD ARE RELATED. CAN I JUST TEST ONE OF THEM?
No, you must test any Alleged Father that may be related to each other. If there is more than one possible Father of the Child and the possible Fathers are closely related to each other (i.e. as brothers, or as father and son, etc.), then it is very important to test them both due to the similarities in their DNA, in order to avoid a false-positive result; a positive result for one relation will not exclude the other, unless both/all are tested. The same applies to related Alleged Mothers in a Maternity DNA Test. Learn more about DNA testing related Alleged Fathers/Mothers in our FAQ.
DNA TESTING FOR LEGAL PURPOSES
In order for a DNA test to be used for legal purposes, certain processes and requirements must be met.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.