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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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