Are there differences in test results obtained using buccal swabs versus blood or other tissues?
No, DNA test results are the same because the DNA is the same in all nucleated cells of a person’s body. We use the most readily available source of DNA for paternity testing. The DNA we use is located inside the mouth, buccal cells. Every cell in body, except for red blood cells, contains the same DNA. Red bloods do not contain DNA. All DNA containing cells, including cells from buccal swabs, hair follicles and urine specimens, are suitable specimens for DNA analysis (1-3). In 2000, out of 662,567 total samples reported processed for DNA, (80%) represented buccal swabs whereas 132,851 (20%) represented blood samples (4).
No, DNA test results are the same because the DNA is the same in all nucleated cells of a person’s body. We use the most readily available source of DNA for paternity testing. The DNA we use is located inside the mouth, buccal cells. Every cell in body, except for red blood cells, contains the same DNA. Red bloods do not contain DNA. All DNA containing cells, including cells from buccal swabs, hair follicles and urine specimens, are suitable specimens for DNA analysis (1-3). In 2000, out of 662,567 total samples reported processed for DNA, (80%) represented buccal swabs whereas 132,851 (20%) represented blood samples (4).
