To swab or not to swab--that is a question that we get all the time here at Fairfax Identity laboratories. People call and ask questions like, "Which test is better?" or "I heard that the swab test is not as good as a blood test." What is the answer? Neither. With today's advanced technologies the decision is really yours--it makes no difference which method that you use to perform the test.

Buccal swabs and blood are only vehicles for carrying DNA. DNA is collected from buccal cells using a swab collection and DNA is extracted from white cells when blood is used. The end of the collection result is always DNA.

The question then becomes one of comfort, convenience and noninvasiveness. If you have a child who is under six months old, try to avoid a needle. Although heel sticks and finger pricks can be used, they will cause the child pain. Another obvious advantage of using the swab is that a sample from the baby can be collected almost immediately after birth, avoiding the hassle of having to deal with hospital administration and risk management teams (common when trying to collect cord samples).

Anyone can collect a swab sample because there is no handling of biohazardous materials. No certification is required so even an officer of the court or anyone who is experienced in handling a chain of custody can obtain the sample.

Blood, on the other hand, is biohazard material and must be collected using a needle. It can be painful and, at times, difficult. Intravenous drug users, for example, are difficult to stick, as are small children. The upside to blood is that it is a rich source for DNA. Please remember that there is no such thing as a blood test (excluding HLA testing) or a swab test in the world of DNA testing. There is only the DNA test.

For DNA Testing Services Visit: GeneTree DNA Testing Center