What are buccal/mouth swabs and why is this not a blood test?
Your DNA is the same no matter where the sample comes from. Testing cells taken from a swab will give you the exact same results as cells taken from your blood. A buccal/mouth swab resembles a cotton Q-tip. When you rub the inside of your cheek with a swab, your cells stick to the fibers. This is a painless, non-invasive method of collection that is comfortable for children and adults, and can even be done in the privacy and comfort of your own home. • Can I just store my DNA at home? There are several reasons why you may not want to do that. DDC has a safe storage environment for your DNA sample. We seal the DNA sample in such a way that the DNA will be preserved. You cannot do this at home. Furthermore, our facility is protected both from the elements and from any possible theft or tampering.
