Instructions for self-collection of DNA samples

The procedure is simple and painless, and takes about 5 minutes:

1. Purchase:

• Sterile cotton swabs (also called ear swabs) from any nearby pharmacy.
• Regular paper envelopes. One envelope per participant.

2. It is better to label the envelopes first by filling in the following information:

• Participant’s full name (for anonymous tests, you can write the first letter of the name or simply “Sample 1”).
• Participant’s date of birth (not required for anonymous tests).
• Relationship (e.g., father, child, mother, uncle, grandmother, etc.).
• Sample collection date.

3. For one participant, take two cotton swabs. Cut one cotton head off each of the two swabs, leaving only one cotton tip. Do not touch the cotton tip with your hands!!!

4. Hold the plastic end of the cotton swab with your hands and, on the inside of the cheek, move the cotton tip up and down about 10 times. It’s recommended that the cotton tip firmly touches the cheek, so you can hold the outside of the cheek with your other hand for support.

5. Leave the cotton swab with the DNA sample in the open air for about a minute to let any excess moisture evaporate, then place the swab in the paper envelope. Do not touch the inside of the envelope with your hands!!!

6. After collecting the DNA sample from one cheek, take the second cotton swab by its plastic end and repeat steps 3–4 on the other cheek.

7. When both cotton swabs from the same person are in one envelope, seal the envelope using the adhesive strip. Do not lick the envelope!!!

As a result, you will have two cotton swabs from both cheeks in one envelope from one person. This is the standard DNA sample. In addition to standard samples, non-standard DNA samples can also be used for DNA testing. A list of non-standard DNA samples can be found here.