We answer the most frequently asked questions. If you do not find an answer, please contact us

FAQ's

Can a paternity or maternity test determine with 100% certainty that the person in question is NOT the biological father or biological mother, respectively, of another individual?
Yes, when there are incompatible alleles (alternative forms of the same gene) in any of the markers analyzed, it is possible to exclude that person as the biological parent.
Can a paternity or maternity test determine with 100% certainty that the person in question is the biological father or biological mother, respectively, of another individual?
No. When compatible alleles are present in all the markers analyzed, the probability that the person in question is the biological parent is calculated. The degree of certainty is never 100% for statistical reasons, but exceeds 99.9999% when both parents are involved.
Are the test results strictly confidential?
Yes, the report with the test result will be delivered exclusively to the applicant at his home or at the address, he has given us.
How long does it take to receive the results?
The delivery time for results is 15 working days, although we also have an express service of 5 days.
From which biological samples can DNA testing be performed?
GENOMICA has the necessary technology to analyse, with guaranteed results, any type of biological sample (blood, saliva, hair, sperm, blood stains, biopsies, bone remains, fingernails), or organic remains present in all types of clothing or objects (cigarette butts, pacifiers, chewing gum, socks, envelopes, brushes, glasses or cups). It is recommended that you consult us to optimize the analysis and results. We routinely use cells from the buccal epithelium as a routine sample, since it is very simple and completely painless to obtain.
Is a test performed with blood samples more reliable than a test performed with saliva or other biological samples?
No. All the cells of a person have exactly the same DNA, so the accuracy and reliability of the results is the same, regardless of the biological material used.
Can a paternity test be done without a sample from the mother or vice versa?
Yes, the sample of the parent who is not in doubt is not essential to be able to perform a test with the maximum guarantees, always reaching a probability greater than 99.99%. If both parents are tested, the probability obtained is higher but it is not essential.
Do the paternity/maternity analysis reports performed by GENOMICA have judicial validity or evidentiary capacity in courts of law?
The admissibility of the DNA test in the courts of justice is subject to a correct process of taking, identifying and sending the samples to the laboratories. In order for the samples to be identified, it is necessary to provide the ID cards or passports of the persons involved in the analysis. In the case of minors who do not have these documents, a recent photo should be provided.
Is it possible to perform a paternity/maternity test with judicial validity without the authorization of the mother/father?
Yes, at present it is not essential to have the express authorization of the other parent for these tests to have evidentiary capacity in the Spanish courts of justice. Due to the existing legal vacuum on this point, it is the judge himself who must accept or not the genetic report as evidence if one of the parents has not given his express consent.
What is the accuracy of biological parentage testing?
The accuracy of biological kinship testing depends on how distant the relationship to be investigated is (the more distant, the lower the probability), the additional genetic information available (the more relatives analysed, the higher the probability) and the genetic markers analysed (the more markers, the higher the probability). Furthermore, in certain cases, it will be necessary to resort to the study of mitochondrial DNA and/or the Y chromosome in order to achieve sufficiently significant probabilities.
How many relatives need to be tested to perform a biological kinship test?
Theoretically, two individuals are needed to perform any type of kinship test (uncle-nephew, grandfather-grandson, etc.), however, in most cases, by analysing more people (the mother, another uncle, the grandmother, etc.) more genetic information is obtained, which has an impact on the statistical evaluation of the test.
Is it possible to differentiate two twin siblings by DNA testing?
Not if the siblings are univitelline (monozygotic) twins, commonly called twins, since they share the same genetic information, they are clones, so to speak, so it would not be possible to differentiate them by DNA testing. However, biviteline (dizygotic) twins, commonly called twins, do differ at the genetic level, as they are just as similar as two normal siblings are.
Does GENOMICA perform genealogical studies?
Yes, GENOMICA can obtain information about the genealogy of any person who requests it. For this purpose, a study of the individual’s mitochondrial DNA (maternal lineage) is performed and, in case the applicant is male, the Y chromosome (paternal lineage) can also be analysed.
What is a genetic fingerprint and what is it used for?
Genetic fingerprinting is also called DNA testing or DNA analysis, and is the technique used to distinguish individuals from each other using samples of their DNA. Humans share the vast majority of their genetic material, so to distinguish two individuals we analyse the repetition of highly variable sequences called microsatellites. A person’s genetic fingerprint is unique and remains unchanged throughout a person’s life, so it serves to identify individuals much more reliably than a fingerprint.