Peace of Mind Paternity & DNA Testing not only provides quality DNA testing to solve complex issues, but we also understand the clients perspective and their needs are always put first.
Peace of Mind Paternity employs a convenient collection method that uses a simple cheek swab, so it's non-invasive and ideal for all ages. The process is painless and takes only a few minutes. Our samples are collected using a Chain of Custody documentation process. By using this process we are able to ensure courts and other government agencies will accept the results as proof of paternity. The average turnaround time for our standard paternity test is 5 - 7 business days. Our laboratory is fully accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks and utilizes advanced technology and quality control measures that allow us to provide guaranteed 100% error-free results with a probability of paternity that is typically 99.99%
At Peace of Mind our mission is to provide our clients with legal court admissible test at a reasonable rate. We are dedicated to educating our clients about their rights and providing them the resources necessary to assist them with their needs once their DNA test has been processed. We understand the emotional and personal nature of the testing situations and our primary focus is ensuring that our clients achieve Peace of Mind as we assist them in determining the truth about their situation. We accomplish this by delivering outstanding services that make testing as simple and stress free as possible
Legal Tests
The most commonly ordered paternity test is a legal test. In this test an independent third party, more commonly known as a Private DNA Agent, collects the specimens. This Agent completes all of the paperwork relating to identification of the parties to the test and handles shipment of the samples to the laboratory. The final test result is notarized, has AABB accreditation and is admissible in a court proceeding as evidence of the test outcome, either paternity or non-paternity depending on the test results. The critical component to this test which makes it different is the verified Chain-of-Custody , which includes identification of the parties and proper handling of specimens before they reach the laboratory. The actual laboratory procedures are performed to the same high standards. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
At Home Tests
For parties not involved in legal proceedings, and with little likelihood of beginning any, a convenient alternative is the At Home Test . In this case, samples may be self-collected by the parties themselves, offering both convenience and privacy. However, since collection is not independently witnessed, no Chain-of-Custody is maintained and test results will usually not be admissible in court . If a court approved test is required later, a completely new test following the Legal Test procedure would be required, at an additional expense. If there is any doubt about ever needing the test result for legal purposes, careful consideration should be given to ordering a Legal Test . Once the laboratory receives specimens, the actual laboratory procedures are performed to the same high standards as a Legal Test, but are not AABB accredited due to specimen handling not meeting Chain-of-Custody requirements. For more information, or to order a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Newborn and Prenatal
Because buccal cell specimens can be collected so easily, DNA Paternity Testing is safe and painless for newborns - even shortly after birth. Samples are collected by gently wiping the inside of the cheek with a soft cotton swab. As another option for newborn screening, with your physician's agreement, umbilical cord blood can be submitted for testing.
A prenatal test can be performed only if your physician will collect and send us an amniocentesis or CVS sample. A collection kit with a chain of custody form and shipping instructions will be provided to your physician. The physician may also take the buccal swab samples from the alleged father and the mother, or Peace of Mind Paternity can arrange an appointment for the alleged father and the mother at one of our local facilities (Mobile DNA Services available in some areas). For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Family Studies
The technology used for DNA testing can often be applied to special applications called Family Studies. In these situations, rather than answering the question "Is this man the father of the child?", different or more involved questions can be assessed, testing the likelihood of other biological family relationships. The same genetic markers that are used in standard paternity tests are used to determine paternity when the alleged father is deceased or unavailable for testing (using grandparentage testing), to assess whether other people are biologically related such as possible brothers (siblingship, or sibship studies), and even whether twins are genetically identical (twin studies). In Estate settlements, establishing or proving such family relationships can provide important information. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Grandparentage Testing
In cases where there is a question about a biological relationship between a child and a possible grandparent, the Identity Test should include samples from the child, the mother and one or both parents of the alleged father. Such a test is used when the alleged father is deceased or unavailable for testing. Similarly, a family study involving aunts, uncles or other related parties can often be used to conclusively establish a relationship - for either legal or personal purposes. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Siblingship or "Sibship" Testing
A DNA Identity Test designed to determine whether two people have biological parents in common is known as a "siblingship study" or "siblingship test." Individuals are full siblings when they have the same biological parents, or half siblings when they share one biological parent, either a mother or a father. To perform this test, two or more individuals who are interested in establishing whether or not they have parents in common provide DNA samples. Although it is optional, we strongly recommend including a sample from the parent in the test, when it can be provided. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Twin Studies
Fraternal (dizygotic) twins are formed from two eggs, fertilized separately, which can result in two siblings of the same or opposite sexes. The hair and eye color, as well as many of the other characteristics of fraternal twins, can vary widely -- and fraternal twins can actually be half-siblings, with different fathers. The fact that such genetic differences exist can be confirmed by DNA testing. In contrast, identical (monozygotic) twins occur when a single fertilized egg splits after conception into two identical halves, each of which develops separately. Each identical twin will have exactly the same DNA, a fact which can be established through testing. Of course, identical twins are of the same sex and have the same eye and hair color, as well as blood type. Only one of every three sets of twins are identical. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Immigration Testing
DNA Identity Testing is often used to determine whether individuals are related as full or half siblings, or have a parent-child relationship. This is especially useful for immigration to the United States or Canada, when one relation is a legal resident. When there is insufficient documentation to bring a relative into the country, all doubt is removed by conducting a DNA test.
Our DNA test is among the most accurate available today for determining paternity and other family relationships. At Peace of Mind Paternity's laboratory , we have the ability to test up to 20 different regions of DNA in order to ensure the results of your test are the most accurate. We also have alternative technologies like Y-STR's and mitochondrial DNA testing to test paternal and maternal lineage.
US Government INS/DHS Approved - Based on the AABB accreditation that Peace of Mind Paternity's laboratory has, we are approved by the INS/DHS as a supplier for immigration testing. Peace of Mind supports the results we issue and will assist the Embassy and/or our clients with the interpretation of results, after they have been issued, if required.
For immigration cases, paternity or maternity tests may be performed, or a Family Study Test is used to identify a biological relationship other than paternal or maternal. For example, it may be used to test if an aunt or uncle is related to a niece or nephew. Our highly trained staff will discuss each case with you to ensure that the most appropriate "known" relatives are tested and that the best DNA technology is used, in order to provide the most conclusive result.
Uniting Families Around the World Peace of Mind Paternity has a network of thousands of specimen collection sites in North America plus hundreds throughout the world. The samples for any particular case do not have to be collected in the same place at the same time. The US Embassy or Peace of Mind Paternity can schedule overseas appointments. The results for every DNA immigration case can be sent to Embassies and to the local Service Centers by Airborne Express. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Identification and DNA Preservation
Peace of Mind Paternity's DNA Sampling Kit helps you collect and store samples containing DNA so they can be used if you ever need them. For added security, the DNA Identification and Preservation Program enables you to send a sample to our laboratory. There DNA scientists will verify that the sample contains enough DNA for future testing and place the extracted DNA on a special card that you can store for future purposes.
Peace of Mind also offers a DNA Identification service that determines the DNA identification profile on a submitted specimen. It is being used by US contractors with personnel being deployed to Iraq or other risky foreign assignments to ensure that rapid identification can be more easily done in the future if needed. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
Estate Planning
DNA Identity Testing can be extremely useful in helping to settle estates and resolve probate disputes. When you suspect that you are related to an individual for whom an estate is being settled, DNA testing can validate your claim. There is a high likelihood that genetic testing will establish whether you are a child of a deceased individual, or a sibling of his or her other living children. In addition, to protect an estate from false claims by supposed relatives, Peace of Mind Paternity can assist with DNA identification and preservation for future testing. Also, in many cases, genetic testing in estate matters may be possible even if the deceased did not bank a biological specimen. Many estate executors have successfully eliminated impostors and validated legitimate heirs by using Peace of Mind Paternity's DNA testing services. The type of testing performed will vary, depending on your relationship to the person whose estate is being settled, and on the other individuals available for testing. For more information, or to schedule a test, please call Peace of Mind Paternity at 1-866-51-PEACE (73223).
