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 Why aren’t
my child’s fingerprints & footprints useful forms of identification?
- Your baby will not produce well-defined fingerprints
until the age of 4 - 6 years and the infant footprinting
method is done in such a manner that renders the footprints
highly inaccurate. The American Academy of Pediatrics
and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
have not recommended the use of fingerprinting or footprinting
for identification purposes for a number of years. A study
found 89% of children’s prints inadequate for positive
identification when viewed by experts.
Sources: Newborn Identification, Clinical Pediatrics,
1993
Foot printing the Newborn, Not Cost-Effective; Journal
of Pediatrics, 1981
What is the
DNA sample collection process?
- 1.Four (4) sterile cotton swabs are swiped along the
inside of your child’s cheeks and then placed in a vial
containing a preservative solution.
2. Duplicate bar-codes are provided for complete anonymity
(no names or addresses are requested or required). One
bar-code is affixed to the vial for logging purposes at
the storage facility and the other is placed in the Infant/Child
Passport for your reference.
3. Once the bar-codes are in place, the vial is placed
in the pre-paid, self-addressed envelope and mailed to
our secure storage facility. The sample will be stored
for 18 years at no additional cost to you.
4. In approximately two weeks, confirmation of sample
receipt can be made by calling our toll-free number.
How can I
be sure I have collected a DNA sample with GUARDIAN DNA,
and not just saliva?
- It is extremely rare to find even a single swab that
does not contain DNA. For example, pre-market testing
was conducted by a panel of mothers. All swabs contained
many cells when analyzed. Each single cell contains sufficient
DNA information to permit sample matching if it is required.
We have addressed the remote possibility of a lack of
cell collection in the following ways. Each kit contains
not one, but four cotton swabs. You are asked to take
a swab sample from each of the inside four corners of
your child’s cheeks. You will then place all four swabs
in the vial to assure a viable specimen is collected.
We have also included an easy to follow instruction sheet
as well as a testing demonstration on the video.
Should I take
a DNA sample at a time when my child has strep throat, thrush
or even a common cold?
- Although these common illnesses will have no effect
on DNA collection, you may want to postpone the swab collection
due to possible tenderness of your child’s throat. Also
a postponement will protect against unnecessary spread
of germs. In addition, common over-the-counter or prescription
medications will have no effect on DNA or DNA sampling.
If you have a specific concern, please ask your doctor.
Who will have
access to my child’s DNA information?
- Only you will have the ability to unlock the PIN/bar-code
security in the event it is ever needed. The proprietary
nature of this technology is partly focused on the steps
taken to assure privacy and anonymity.
Is there a
chance that my child’s sample could be lost or lose effectiveness
in storage?
- Inventory records that contain bar-code and PIN information
are backed-up to computer tape and stored at a separate
location in the event of data loss. Provisions have been
established to assure ongoing access to samples and match
testing in the event of corporate changes. Samples are
stored in refrigerated storage and suspended in a solution
containing Isopropyl Alcohol.
Why don’t
you just perform a DNA analysis now and send me the test
results?
- For accurate identification, good laboratory practice
demands that test and reference samples be run simultaneously
under identical conditions. It would not be scientifically
sound to analyze your child’s DNA and send you a photocopy
of the DNA "gel" or picture. There is no value to testing
separate DNA samples if a sample match is required.
What is the
procedure for retrieving my child’s DNA sample?
- There is no additional charge to you should a DNA analysis
of your sample need to be performed. We will only perform
a DNA identification analysis, or provide a DNA sample
for analysis upon the written request of a law enforcement
agency and only when that agency is authorized in writing
by the parent or legal guardian of the person whose DNA
sample is to be analyzed. We will not allow any access
to, or testing of, any DNA sample without express written
authorization, except for routine quality assurance testing
required for long term storage of samples.
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InVitro International
17751 Sky Park East, Suite G
Irvine, CA 92614
800-2-INVITRO (800-246-8487)
949-851-8356 (International callers)
949- 851-4985 Fax
invitro@invitrointl.com
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