PATERNITY TEST
POSTMORTEM

Sample from the child and sample from the alleged father. (The sample from the mother is optional and free of charge.)

• If the sample of the deceased person is bone remains, the choice must be between teeth and long bones (femurs). DNA is much better preserved in the pulp cavity of the tooth, so, whenever possible, at least 4 teeth will be selected, preferably molars, that are not externally damaged and have not undergone endodontic treatment. The entire tooth will be extracted, without breaking its roots.

  If necessary, LabGenetics has a number of judicial experts who could travel to the place where the exhumation is carried out, to take cadaveric samples. The professional fees of the expert, in case of travel to take samples, will be billed separately.

  If it is not possible to obtain the deceased’s skeletal remains, other biological remains of the deceased person may be available (toothbrush, hair with roots, clothing, cigarette butts, blood or semen stains, etc.). However, you should bear in mind that, in this case, the paternity test results report would not be legally valid.

• For the reference sample (sample from the non-deceased person), all those susceptible to containing DNA are valid, such as swabs with cells from the oral epithelium, hair with roots, nails, cigarette butts, toothbrushes, chewing gum, supports with fluids, baby teeth, umbilical cord, etc.

There are several shipping methods. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

• If the test is informative, go to the LabGenetics facilities or to one of our collaborating centers to deliver the sample of the deceased person. At that time, our staff will be able to take the sample.

  If you prefer, you can take the samples yourself. To do so, proceed as follows:

  • Rub the inner right cheek of your mouth with a cotton swab (on both ends) for approximately 30 seconds. Using another swab, repeat the same operation on the inner left cheek. It is VERY IMPORTANT to then let both swabs air dry at room temperature in a protected place for at least 1 hour. After this time, handling the samples as little as possible, place the swabs in a paper envelope that is properly identified (child, etc.).

  • If the samples you have have been collected indirectly (nails, hair with roots, cigarette butts, blood stains, semen, etc.) place the samples in separate, well-identified envelopes. To ensure the integrity of the samples, it is important that you handle them carefully, avoiding touching areas that may contain biological remains with your fingers.

  • Once you have the samples, you must download and complete the application form. Finally, you must send us the samples and the application by registered mail, express mail, or by courier. Shipping costs are your responsibility.

• In the event that the postmortem paternity test must have judicial validity, it will be necessary that the samples of all participants be accompanied by a chain of custody document (duly completed) proving their origin. Contact us for more information.

The exhumation of remains in a cemetery does not require any court order, it is only necessary to comply with the municipal ordinances of the cemetery (according to the Regulations of the Mortuary Health Police), and pay the corresponding fees. The first step to obtain authorization for the exhumation of remains is the request, by the owner of the niche or grave, or by his legal heirs, of the Certificate of Inhumation, which must contain information about the buried person, the date of the burial, the date of death and the place where the remains are located. This certificate must be requested at the cemetery or, failing that, at the City Hall.

Next, it is necessary to make the request to the City Hall (generally to the Department or Council of Public Health) for the Authorization for Exhumation and transfer of bone remains. It is important to indicate in the request which laboratory and judicial expert will carry out the transfer of the remains. The funeral services company that manages the cemetery (if one is appointed) will be the one to carry out the exhumation by order of the City Council.

Carrying out the exhumation in the presence of a judicial expert is essential for the Expert Report issued to be legally valid and to be used in the Courts of Justice. If the exhumation is to be carried out in the presence of a judicial expert (which can be provided by LabGenetics), this expert will be responsible for documenting and certifying the removal of the remains and ensuring the maintenance of the chain of custody in the transfer of the remains.

In order for LabGenetics to send you the report with the results obtained in your test, you must have previously made the payment for it, using one of the following methods:

• Payment gateway when requesting the kit
• Bank transfer (to the account number indicated on the application form)
• Credit card
• Credit card or cash at our facilities in San Sebastián de los Reyes
• Cash on delivery when sending results, with an additional cost of €20

The results of your DNA analysis will be ready in approximately 10 to 15 business days from receipt of the samples. You will receive your report, in a completely confidential manner, through the means you prefer (and which you will have previously indicated on the application form):

• Email
• Ordinary mail
• Courier service, with an additional cost of €15
• Hand delivery to our facilities in San Sebastián de los Reyes, after identification of the person requesting the test