Park Clinic Paternity Testing Services
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The fee does not cover: (i) The attendance of expert witnesses at Court hearings. (ii) Any extra scientific work required in forensic science investigations. (iii) Any extra medical, scientific or explanatory work necessary for legal consultations, conciliation or arbitration hearings, or any other work which may arise as a result of the testing procedures or the results of such testing procedures.
How long will the test take?
Are the results conclusive?
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At least
seventeen STR tests are used to examine every paternity case.
How are the DNA samples taken?
All
paternity testing at Park Clinic Paternity Service is carried out using
either mouth swabs or finger/heel prick blood tests.
Mouth swab testing uses a small brush to gently and painlessly remove some cheek cells from the inside of the mouth. The sampling procedure is ideal for young children and babies as there are no needles or blood involved.
Blood sampling uses a tiny pricking device to obtain little more than one drop of blood from an adult or child’s finger or an infant’s heel. Our experienced samplers ensure that the procedure is very quick, almost painless and quite straightforward.
The sampling kit has been specially designed to protect your DNA while
it is safely and securely transported to our laboratory in tamper-proof
packaging.
Who can take samples?
Park Clinic Paternity Service provides an experienced doctor to take all
samples.
To ensure quality and consistency in sampling we do not ‘share’ testing with any other samplers or laboratories.
Please also note that although it is common for mother, alleged father
and child to have their samples taken at the same appointment by one of
our doctors, it is not necessary for all individuals in a case to have
their samples taken at the same time. We can arrange one appointment for
mother and child and another for the putative father. We do however
strongly prefer that all samples are taken on the same day. A child
under 16 must usually be accompanied by its mother when a sample is
taken. We recommend that you avoid eating or drinking for approximately
one hour prior to mouth swab sampling.
Why do I need to see a Doctor?
The
taking of blood samples requires the sampler to be fully conversant with
the most up to date standards of hygiene and safety and to provide as
close to a painless procedure as is possible. The mouth swab procedure
is also very straightforward, however all samples must be taken by a
medically qualified person (doctor or practice nurse) who will provide a
declaration that the persons being tested are who they say they are.
This independent confirmation of your identity together with various
other procedures and our quality accreditations mean that results from
Park Clinic Paternity Service are accepted as evidence in Irish courts.
This procedure is also a requirement of the Code of Practice for Genetic
Paternity Testers. It is also important to us that any questions that
you might have are answered as fully and completely as possible and so
we only employ a sampler who fully understands all of the practical
points of sampling and can also answer any questions about DNA testing
in general that you might have.
Who arranges the sampling appointment?
The
adults being tested (or their solicitors) must arrange the sampling
appointments. Information about arranging an appointment is supplied in
the registration forms. The person making the appointments must convey
the arrangements to all parties to the testing.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Once the sampling fee has been received, appointments are usually
available within one week.
How are the donors identified at their
appointment?
All
people being tested including the child will be photographed at the
sampling appointment. Adults are also asked to bring photo ID (passport,
driving licence, Garda identity card, European identity card). At the
appointment you will be asked to sign a form confirming your identity
and the doctor will sign a declaration that the sample has been taken
from the person in the photograph.
Who pays the sampling and testing fee?
The
individuals being tested must pay the Park Clinic Paternity Service’s
fee in advance of the appointment. The testing fee must be paid by one
or both individuals and only when the full testing fee has been received
will appointments be given. In a Family Law matter, the judge may
direct one or both parties to pay the testing fee.
Who will receive the results?
All
adult parties who have submitted a sample for analysis are legally
entitled to a copy of the report. When you receive the registration
forms for your test there is a section that you should complete to tell
us where the reports should be sent. Reports are only despatched to
these individuals and are sent by post. Results are never sent by
email, fax or given out over the telephone.
Is the service confidential?
Results are not passed on to any third parties without your written
permission. Please note that we do not discuss results over the
telephone. All identification paperwork is held by Park Clinic
Paternity Service for a period of one year after testing is complete.
We are legally required to retain invoices and financial records for six
years.
At
what age can a child be tested?
Our
advanced testing procedures mean that both blood and cheek swab testing can be performed on a child of any age after birth.
In fact, testing can be carried out before birth but we believe that the
small risk to both mother and foetus is rarely justified.
How do I arrange payment?
Payment may be made with most major credit cards, laser cards, cash or
by cheque. Full details of how to pay are included in the registration
pack.
Will my DNA sample be safe?
The
samples are sent to our laboratories in specially designed tamper-proof
packaging. Once testing is complete and you have received the results,
the DNA samples will be held in the laboratory for six months after
the results are issued. If storage beyond six months is required, a
storage fee will be payable.
Does the mother need to be tested?
It
is possible to perform a paternity test without the mother; however the
results will be less conclusive than if the mother is included.
Because more detailed analysis may need to be performed, the testing
fee is the same as if the mother was tested. We strongly encourage the
testing of the mother wherever possible.
Can the test results be used in Court?
The
Park Clinic Paternity Service laboratory is accredited by the Lord
Chancellor and we conform to the requirements of the Irish Legal
System. Our results are accepted as evidence of paternity in Irish
courts.
What if I need further assistance before or
after testing is completed?
Park Clinic Paternity Services provides the highest quality sampling and
testing service for a very competitive fee. We do of course recognise
that there may be wider issues resulting from the paternity test results
that may require further assistance. We are unable to provide further
analysis for the same testing fee but we would always try to provide
information as to how further help can be obtained should the need
arise.
What do I do next?
If
you wish to use Park Clinic Paternity Testing Services for your
paternity test, follow these steps:
1. Download the registration and terms and conditions papers here.
2. Make sure that both parties fully understand our terms and conditions. When you are satisfied that all parties have all of the information that they need, complete and return the registration form together with the testing fee or your credit card number.
3. Once the registration papers and payment details have been sent and received by us you should telephone for appointments.
4. Ensure that all parties are aware of the appointment date and time and have all the information that they need.
5. Attend for the appointments. Directions to the Park Clinic can be downloaded here.
6. Results will be available in 10-15 working days.