DNA/Relationship Testing Services
DNA/Relationship Testing Services
The American Red Cross has been providing genetic identity testing for more than 25 years at our laboratory in Portland, Oregon. Our clients include hospitals, physicians, child support agencies, police departments, immigration services, and private parties.
Our DNA laboratory utilizes state-of-the-art DNA technology and testing is performed by certified professionals, following accepted standards, and is admissible in US courts. The laboratory is:
- Certified by the AABB (www.aabb.org) for genetic testing
- Approved by the state of Oregon as a vendor for relationship testing
- Approved by the United States Embassy to perform relationship testing on separated family members.
All technologists are experienced professionals, trained to accommodate a wide range of clientele, ensuring that each case and client receives the utmost care and attention.
Please call the American Red Cross Relationship Testing Laboratory at 503-528-5405 for a free consultation, or to schedule an appointment. You may also contact our laboratory with questions via e-mail at paternity@redcross.org. Our laboratory specialists are available to schedule a DNA sample collection appointment or answer questions.
American Red Cross Relationship Testing Laboratory
3131 N. Vancouver Avenue
Portland, OR 97227
Collection by appointment only Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM. For your convenience our laboratory can also send a collection kit free of charge to a collection site near you.
Collection and Testing Process
We routinely use buccal swabs to obtain DNA for testing. The inside of an individual's cheek is swabbed to obtain buccal cells. This process is a painless, non-invasive collection procedure. The DNA is then extracted from these cells and used for testing. If necessary, we can test other samples. Contact us if you have any questions about special circumstances.
At the time of collection, clients are required to provide identification and also complete a Genetic Authorization Form. A strict chain of custody for all samples is maintained in order for results to be admissible in a court of law. For this reason, we cannot accept samples which are collected by the involved parties themselves, but will assist in locating a reliable collection site.
For a paternity case, we normally test the mother, child and alleged father. Our laboratory is able to provide results with a high level of certainty even when key family members are unavailable. In cases where one of the parents is deceased or physically unavailable, the analysis may still be performed by testing the parents of the missing individual. Please contact us if you have any questions about special circumstances.
Our laboratory specialists have extensive experience in the utilization and application of STR testing and are always available to answer questions
Short tandem repeats (STR), are short sequences of DNA that are repeated. Most of our DNA is identical to DNA of others. However, there are inherited regions of DNA that vary in each individual. Variations in DNA sequence between individuals are called "polymorphisms". The polymorphisms in STRs are due to the different number of copies of the repeat DNA that occur. By analyzing the polymorphic region of a child's DNA, we can establish which alleles were inherited from both their mother and father. STR analysis provides a basis to either exclude a tested man with 100% certainty or to include a tested man with 99% or greater certainty in a paternity case.
Results and Turnaround Time
The final reports will be provided via fax, mail, or email to all adults and/or their representatives in a case. To ensure confidentiality, no results or details of any case will be discussed with any persons who are unable to provide suitable proof of their identities. Genetic reports are legal documents, and are admissible in the court of law. Our Staff are available for confidential interpretation of test results. Our laboratory experts have provided testimony in the court of law, and are available as expert witnesses upon request. Reports will be processed 2 to 3 weeks from the date we receive all samples involved in the case.
Testing begins once all DNA samples for the case arrive at our laboratory and is typically completed within 15 business days of sample receipt.
Ordering Information
$500 for DNA testing of up to three people
$130 fee for each additional person over three to be tested.
FREE to send collection kits to a location anywhere within the U.S.
$150 per case to send collection kits to a location anywhere outside of the U.S (with the exception of Africa)
$185 per case to send collection kits to a location in Africa. The fee includes return shipping back to our lab.
We accept cash, debit cards, credit cards and money orders. We do not accept personal checks.
Relationship Testing is not covered by insurance. Payment plans are available; please contact the laboratory about setting up a plan when you are ready to start your case.