DNA/Relationship Testing Services
DNA/Relationship Testing Services
The American Red Cross has been providing genetic identity testing for more than 25 years at our laboratory in Portland, Oregon. Our clients include hospitals, physicians, child support agencies, police departments, immigration services, and private parties.
Our DNA laboratory specializes in testing first order relationships (parent-child, sibling-to-sibling) and utilizes industry standard PCR-STR DNA technology. Testing is performed by qualified professionals, following accepted standards, and is admissible in legal or government proceedings based in the USA.
- Accredited by the AABB (www.aabb.org) for relationship testing
- Approved by the state of Oregon as a vendor for relationship testing
- Approved to perform relationship testing for Embassies and Consulates of the United States
All technologists are experienced professionals, trained to accommodate a wide range of clientele, ensuring that each case and client receives the utmost care and attention.
Please call the American Red Cross Relationship Testing Laboratory at 503-528-5405 for a free consultation, or to schedule an appointment. You may also contact our laboratory with questions via e-mail at paternity@redcross.org. Our laboratory specialists are available to schedule a DNA sample collection appointment or answer questions.
American Red Cross Relationship Testing Laboratory
3131 N. Vancouver Avenue
Portland, OR 97227
Collection by appointment only Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM. For your convenience our laboratory can also send a collection kit free of charge to a collection site near you.
Collection and Testing Process
The standard method of obtaining a DNA sample is through buccal swabbing. The inside of an individual's cheek is swabbed to obtain buccal cells. This process is a painless, non-invasive collection procedure. The DNA is then extracted from these cells and used for testing. Other sample types may be utilized. Please contact us if you have any questions about special circumstances.
At the time of collection, clients are required to complete an Information and Consent form and provide appropriate picture identification. A strict chain of custody for all samples is required for legal-weight cases to be admissible in a court of law. For this reason, samples which are “self-collected” by the parties to be tested are only suitable for non-legal testing. Laboratory staff can assist in locating an appropriate collection facility for clients outside of Portland, Oregon.
For a paternity case, we always recommend testing mother, child, and alleged father, if at all possible. Our laboratory is also able to provide legally admissible results if only the alleged parent is available. In cases where one of the parents is deceased or physically unavailable, the analysis may still be performed by testing alternative samples. Please contact us if you have any questions about special circumstances.
Our laboratory specialists have extensive experience in the utilization and application of STR testing and are always available to answer questions
Relationship testing looks at inherited regions of DNA that vary in everyone (except identical twins). These DNA variations between individuals are called "polymorphisms". By analyzing and comparing the polymorphic regions between two participants, we determine if the shared polymorphisms determine support for a tested relationship. This analysis provides a basis to either definitively exclude a tested participant or to demonstrate support for the relationship with a percentage. Results of 99% or greater are accepted as proof positive of the parent-child relationship.
Results and Turnaround Time
The final reports will be provided via fax, mail, or email to all adults and/or their representatives in a case. Reports for cases initiated because of a government request are submitted directly from the laboratory to the requesting agency. To ensure confidentiality, no results or details of any case will be discussed with any persons who are unable to demonstrate that they are authorized to have access or if they cannot provide suitable proof of their identities.
In accordance with AABB standards and Red Cross policy, discussing test results via phone or email before release to all parties is strictly prohibited.
The reports generated in a legal-weight case are legal documents and are admissible in legal or governmental proceedings. Our staff are available for confidential interpretation of test results. Our laboratory experts have provided testimony in the court of law and are available as expert witnesses upon request.
Reports are generally released approximately 15 business days from the date all samples are received for a case.
Ordering Information
$500 for DNA testing of up to three people
$130 fee for each additional person over three to be tested.
FREE to send collection kits to a location anywhere within the U.S.
$150 per case to send collection kits to a location anywhere outside of the U.S (with the exception of Africa)
$185 per case to send collection kits to a location in Africa. The fee includes return shipping back to our lab.
We accept cash, debit cards, credit cards and money orders. We do not accept personal checks.
Relationship Testing is not covered by insurance. Payment plans are available; please contact the laboratory about setting up a plan when you are ready to start your case.