What Is a Legal DNA Collection?
A legal DNA collection — also called a chain-of-custody DNA collection — is a certified specimen collection performed by a trained collector following strict protocols that make the results admissible in court, immigration proceedings, or other official contexts. It is different from at-home DNA kits, which cannot be used in legal matters.
On Point Drug Testing performs certified buccal (cheek swab) DNA collections in San Diego County for paternity testing, immigration cases, and other legal purposes.
Common Reasons for Legal DNA Collection
- Paternity: Establishing biological parenthood for child support, custody, or personal knowledge. Court-ordered paternity tests require a legal chain-of-custody collection.
- Immigration: USCIS and National Visa Center accept DNA evidence from AABB-accredited labs to establish family relationships for certain visa petitions when documentary evidence is insufficient.
- Estate and Inheritance: Establishing biological relationships in probate matters.
- Personal Confirmation: Some families seek legal DNA testing for personal peace of mind, even without a court order.
How the Collection Works
The process is non-invasive. Our certified collector verifies the identity of each person to be tested using a government-issued photo ID. We photograph the ID for the chain-of-custody record. The collection itself involves swabbing the inside of each participant's cheek with a sterile swab — completely painless and takes less than 2 minutes per person.
All participants must be present at the same collection — the collector, the alleged father, the child (and typically the mother, depending on the lab's requirements). We coordinate scheduling to ensure everyone can be present.
Chain of Custody: Why It Matters
Chain of custody is the documented record of who collected the specimen, how it was handled, and how it was shipped to the laboratory. Without an unbroken chain of custody, results cannot be used in legal proceedings. Our collectors are trained to maintain documentation at every step, from collection through laboratory submission.
Booking a DNA Collection in San Diego
Call us at 619-241-4415 to discuss your specific situation. We'll ask about the purpose of the test (this helps ensure we use the correct lab and protocols), the number of participants, and we'll schedule a time that works for everyone. We offer both mobile visits and our office location depending on your preference.