People use a DNA test center for many reasons, and unless you’ve turned to one you might not know the many advantages such a center can yield.

For example, in addition to linking or exonerating a person with a crime like the TV shows, DNA testing can determine if a man is the father of a particular child, it can link siblings, it can determine ancestry and it can predict the risk for health disorders.

How do you begin to find a DNA test center when there are hundreds advertising on the Web?  To begin with, it should be certified by the American Association of Blood Banks and it will show this certification with an AABB seal.  Look for the ISO 17025 accreditation which means it meets or exceeds international standards.

The AABB and the ISO perform inspections and audits of laboratories to make sure they are maintaining high standards.  When a laboratory holds both accreditations, they demonstrate compliance to accuracy and quality customer service.

Some labs have hidden costs so you should be mindful as you shop.  Here are some considerations to look for:

All-inclusion: You should pay one fee for the at-home test kit, the lab analysis and the report.   Be sure the lab does not inform you there are intriguing results and to get them you must pay more.

Deadlines: If your results are required by the courts as in instances involving immigration and paternity will the lab perform?  What is the response time of the lab?  Many labs yield results within three to nine days.  It is customary to pay extra for expedited results.

Other: Will the company guarantee confidentiality?  What about the staff’s credentials?  And does the company outsource the lab work or own the lab outright?

As with any purchase a laboratory should be scrutinized for value, ensuring quality results for any DNA test center you consider.

Like any business, one DNA testing laboratory will be better than another. When selecting a lab you’ll want to see how many certifications the lab has earned. We here at DNA Testing Centers offer the following advice when selecting your testing center.

The American Association of Blood Banks, or AABB, monitors the quality and performance of blood banks throughout the world. In addition to laboratories, the AABB supports facilities that provide transfusion medicine, cellular therapy, gene therapy, hematopoietic therapy and transplantation. Thought the AABB was founded in 1947 the advent of DNA sampling lead to new standards for labs and in 1984 the AABB developed protocol for paternity and genealogy tests.

Assessors inspect facilities every two years for their practices and policies. When standards are exceeded the AABB recognizes the lab as having a commendable practice. Without AABB accreditation companies cannot provide the Chain of Custody paternity finding required for the court system.

A second accreditation laboratories seek is CAP, or College of American Pathologists. This organization sets standards of practice for patient and testing services in labs in America. More than 200 general standards and 170 molecular pathology criteria are established and each lab is invited to participate in proficiency testing.

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments or CLIA is relatively new. Founded in 1988 it was passed by the United States Congress to establish practices and guidelines for labs that work with human samples. This agency is regulated by Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CLIA standards require that patients receiving DNA testing receive quality services and results in a timely manner. Though standards are high, two states, New York and Washington, are exempt from CLIA rigor because those state’s standards exceed CLIA levels.

While a DNA test has no risk, the findings have the power to change a life. Therefore, be sure to check on the accreditation when shopping for a DNA testing laboratory.

Most often, DNA testing sites are used when a home DNA test kit will not suffice. If you wish to find out about inherited disorders, Native American bloodlines, or you want to know if your twins are identical or fraternal, a home DNA test will provide you with answers.

Home kits are also used to settle issues involving paternity; however the results will not be admissible in a court of law because there is no proof of the origin of the sample. In cases where child custody and child support are being determined, an authenticated document called Chain of Custody must be obtained and that comes from a laboratory.

When an alleged father seeks proof of paternity, he enters an accredited lab, shows proof of identification and gives a DNA sample in the form of a cheek swab with a worker present. Results can be expected within 3 to 5 days. The lab report is legal.

Testing centers do other kinds of DNA analysis as well. They can test samples within a family applying for visas with the U.S. Department of Immigration to show proof that each member of an alleged family is indeed related.

Some Native Americans wish to identify the clans they are associated with. There are four ancient clans responsible for the Native populations today. There are testing centers across the country, some located within close proximity to Reservations, so Native Americans can get the peace of mind they seek.

You’ll want to choose one of the DNA testing centers that has earned several accreditations such as the American Association of Blood Banks, or AABB, and the ISO, the International Standards Organization. As DNA tests are not considered a medical necessity they are not covered by insurance, so shop around when looking for DNA testing sites to find one with reasonable prices.

When searching for DNA testing facilities make sure the one you chose is accredited. There are many reputable laboratories however the accredited ones maintain the highest standards.

Look for a lab that is ISO 17025 listed. This stands for International Standards Organization and it has global reach among DNA testing labs. You’ll also want to see the laboratory is accredited by the AABB which is the American Association of Blood Banks.

The most common reason to be DNA tested is to settle a paternity issue. Most labs will automatically run a sample twice to be certain of the results and if the lab has accreditation, the findings are admissible in any court in the world. Paternity tests are often involved in child support proceedings. Depending upon the lab, results can be established in three to ten days.

DNA tests are also used to settle immigration issues to make sure all members of a family applying for visas are close relatives. Tests are conducted with Estate disposal as well. Sometimes a person will come forward claiming to be a close relative of the deceased. A DNA test will determine if the claim is true.

Lastly DNA testing is underway on millions of individuals around the world in an effort to map human ancestry. Scientists are collecting DNA samples from people seeking information on their ancient ancestry in order to collect a large database of information. With new samples coming each day, genealogists are pinpointing with greater frequency and accuracy, lineage for both parental lines.

All DNA test kits are essentially the same. You order a kit in the mail and swab the inside of your cheek. A few days to a few weeks later, DNA testing facilities reveal the answers you’ve been waiting for leading to a better night’s sleep for many.