How to Collect Samples for a Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test

This video provides sample collectors with a step-by-step guide to collecting samples for a NorthGene™ non-invasive prenatal paternity test. Covering kit contents, donor identification, consent procedures, sample labelling, buccal swab collection, blood sample handling and secure sample return, the video ensures collectors can confidently follow the required chain of custody and quality procedures throughout the process.

• Guidance on verifying donor identity and maintaining chain of custody.
• Instructions for completing consent forms and recording participant information.
• Step-by-step collection guidance.
• Secure packaging and return procedures to ensure sample integrity and traceability.

Full Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Charlotte, Business Manager here at NorthGene™, and today we’re going to show you how to take a DNA sample for a prenatal paternity test.

The kit

In your prenatal paternity, sample collection kit you have everything you need to facilitate the sample collection.

Firstly, you’ll receive instructions on how to take the samples – this includes both mum’s and the potential father’s sample.

Secondly, you will receive a consent form for each participant.

For mum, we require two blood samples to be taken, so you will receive two streck tubes, and with that, you will also receive everything you need to take those samples, including the vacutainer and the needles required, plus plasters and an alcohol wipe for the area that you are taking the sample from.

In addition, you will also receive a buccal swab collection for each participant. So, we need a buccal swab to be taken from mum and a buccal swab to be taken from the potential father as well.

Finally, you will receive this pathoseal bag and this is for the collected blood samples to be returned to us into, in the pre-paid, tamper-evident return sample box.

Verifying identity

Before the sample collection can take place, you must certify the identity of the person giving the DNA sample.

The participant may choose to provide a photograph of themselves, which you must sign and certify to be of true likeness of the donor. Alternatively, you can take a photograph of the donor that you are taking a sample from and email it to our Customer Services team.

You must also check any photo identification that the donor has available and either take a copy of that document, or again, take a photograph of it and send it to northgene@biofortuna.com, certifying that it is of true likeness of the person you are taking the sample from.

The consent form

For each participant, you need to complete a prenatal paternity test consent form.

Ensure that the NorthGene™ case reference is added here, and ask the donor to read fully the donor declaration.

Please then ask the donor to complete the donor information, including their full name, their date of birth, the form of identification which you certified earlier, so this could be a passport or a driver’s licence, then ask the donor to confirm their biological sex.

If it is the mother’s sample that we are taking, we need confirmation of how far into the pregnancy they are.

Please request they also complete the ethnicity if known and that they have read this donor history part of the form. If anything needs to be noted regarding this history, please ensure that it is inputted here.

Finally, request for the donor to sign where it says donor signature. If it is the donor signing for themselves, ensure “donor” is ticked. If the child is under the age of 16 and someone with parental responsibility is providing consent, tick “parental responsibility”, sign where the donor signature box is and confirm the identity of the person providing consent.

Finally, as the collector, you need to complete your name, your collector contact address, which will be your company address, the date on which the sample was taken and ensure that you have provided a signature to confirm that the samples have been taken from the above named donor.

Labelling the samples

For the sample collection from the potential father, you just need two buccal swabs to be taken. Complete the potential father’s name, their date of birth and the case reference. Then, be sure to tick relationship as “father”. Inside this envelope is two buccal swabs to take the samples.

For the mother, we need two blood samples – again, be sure to label with the mother’s name, date of birth, relationship as “mother”, and the case reference. Be sure to do that for both samples will be collected in. Again, just like the potential father, streck tubes which we will need a buccal swab to also be taken from the mother. Ensure that the mum’s name, date of birth, case reference, and the relationship as “mother” is ticked. Again, there will be two buccal swabs inside this envelope to be taken from mum.

The buccal samples

So, for each participant, take their labelled sample collection envelope, and in this envelope you will have two buccal swabs.

Take the sample by rotating the swab for 30 seconds on the inside of one cheek, and with the same swab do the same on the inside of the other cheek, and then return to the plastic cover in here and repeat again with the second swab provided for that person.

Once both samples have been taken, pop into the envelope and seal before moving onto the second participant.

The blood samples

Only a mother needs to provide a blood sample. So, using the labelled streck tubes, take the sample using all of the components, which we have provided to facilitate that collection. You are a trained phlebotomist, so I won’t talk you through how to take that DNA sample but if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.

Returning the samples

Once you have taken the samples from all participants, you need to return them back to our laboratory.

So, take your labelled samples and and your completed consent forms, and you want to pop it into the return box. Then you want to take your two blood samples taken from mum – ensuring that both samples are labelled – and pop them in this pathoseal bag. You want to remove the foil seal, press firmly and place into the box. Close the box and use the security seal.

Your sample is ready to be returned to our laboratory – just pop it in the post.

Summary

Accurate sample collection is a critical part of delivering reliable prenatal paternity testing results. By following our procedures for donor verification, consent, sample collection and secure return, collectors help ensure the highest standards of quality, traceability and chain of custody are maintained throughout the testing process.

If you have any questions about prenatal paternity sample collection procedures or require additional support, contact the NorthGene™ team for expert guidance and assistance.