DNA TESTING USING HAIR

How Much Does a Hair DNA Test Cost?

Home hair DNA test kits start at $299.98. Here are the available options for our home testing service:

Hair Testing Options:

At-Home Hair Paternity Kit $299.98 w/o mother (1 Hair Sample and Cheek Swabs)
At-Home Hair Paternity Kit $299.98 w/mother
(1 Hair Sample and Cheek Swabs)
At Home Hair DNA Kit
At-Home Hair Paternity Kit $325.00
(Two Locations)

Alternative Forensic DNA Relationship Testing Options:

At-Home Hair Sibling Kit $399.98 w/o mother
(1 Hair Sample and Cheek Swabs)
At-Home Hair Sibling Kit $399.98 w/mother
(1 Hair Sample and Cheek Swabs)
At-Home Sibling Kit $425.00
(Two Locations)
At-Home Hair Grandparent Kit $399.98 w/o mother
(1 Hair Sample and Cheek Swabs)
home uncle aunt hair dna test
At-Home Hair Avuncular Kit $399.98 w/mother
(1 Hair Sample and Cheek Swabs)
maternal home dna test kits
At-Home Hair Maternity Kit $425.00
(Two Locations)

How to Purchase an At-Home Hair DNA Test Kit

Follow these steps to buy a home DNA test:

  1. Order your kit from this page or call our office at 888-970-4211.
  2. Your DNA kit will ship within 24-48 hours after purchase.
  3. After receiving your kit, follow the instructions to collect samples, sign the consent form, and place everything in the prepaid envelope.
  4. Allow 2 to 3 days for your DNA analysis after the lab receives your samples.
  5. You will receive a copy of your results by mail and another copy via email.

DNA Test Kit Contents

Your Home DNA kit includes:

  • Consent Form: Allows the lab permission to test your DNA samples.
  • Sample Collection Supplies: Includes cheek swabs.
  • Sample Collection Instructions: Guidance on collecting cheek swabs and hair follicles.
  • Prepaid FedEx Envelope: For returning your samples.

What is a Hair DNA Test?

A hair DNA test determines biological relationships, such as between a parent and child, siblings, or grandparents and grandchildren. This method is useful when one party cannot provide standard cheek swab samples.

How to Collect DNA Testing with Hair Samples

To collect hair follicle samples:

  • Use tweezers to pluck hair from the body or obtain hair from a brush.
  • Each hair must include the root or hair follicle (the dermal papilla) for effective DNA extraction. This root contains mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inherited from the mother. Without a root sample, conducting a paternity or related family reconstruction DNA test is not possible.
  • For optimal results, collect at least 10 hair follicles. Place the samples in a paper envelope and label it with the contributorโ€™s name. Avoid Ziploc bags, as they can trap moisture and compromise the samples.

Common Scenarios for Hair DNA Testing

Hair samples are considered for DNA testing in circumstances such as:

  1. Inheritance
  2. Peace of mind

Where Can I Get a Hair DNA Test?

Below is a list of locations where we provide hair DNA testing services. Call 888-970-4211 to schedule an appointment or ask questions.

Service Areas:
  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Questions about DNA Testing with Hair

Can hair DNA testing be used for legal purposes?

Yes, hair DNA testing serves legal purposes under these conditions:

  1. Sample Requirements: Hair samples must contain the root or follicle. Strands without follicles lack sufficient DNA for legal testing.
  2. Chain of Custody: Legal cases require strict documentation of sample handling. This applies primarily when one party is deceased. Authorized entities (coroner’s office, funeral home) must collect and preserve samples. Courts often require formal orders to approve hair sample testing.
  3. Testing Standards: Our partner laboratory maintains AABB accreditation. This ensures test results meet legal standards for family courts and state institutions.

When these protocols are followed, hair DNA tests provide legally valid relationship confirmation.

Can a hair DNA test be used with siblings?

Yes, a DNA test using hair can be used to help determine a biological relationship between siblings. Remember, the quality of the hair follicle sample will determine whether a DNA profile would be produced.

How Accurate Is a DNA Hair Strand Test?

The accuracy of a DNA paternity test using hair depends on sample quality. High-quality samples have an accuracy rate of 95%.

Can DNA be extracted from hair without the root?

No. DNA testing requires hair samples with the root (hair follicle) attached. Hair strands without the root do not contain enough DNA for testing and cannot be used.

How much hair is needed for a DNA test?

A minimum of 8-10 hair follicle samples are needed for the lab to effectively perform a DNA analysis. Please keep in mind that each hair strand must have the root and the physical quality of the hair samples submitted will determine if the lab will produce a DNA profile that can be used for comparative analysis. Hair follicles submitted without the root cannot be used for testing.

Are My DNA Hair Follicle Test Results Kept Private?

All specimens and results remain confidential. Specimens are stored for three months before destruction. Results are released only to participants involved in the test unless a court order is presented. The lab will notify clients before releasing results.

Which Part of the Hair Contains DNA?

The root or hair follicle, the white bulb at the bottom of the hair strand, contains DNA.

How Long Does DNA in Hair Last?

The length of time DNA lasts in hair samples depends on how well they were stored. We have assisted clients with hair samples that were several years old; however, longer storage times may lead to degradation. There is no guarantee that a complete profile will be produced during extraction.

Can hair samples be used for DNA testing without permission?

Informed consent is required for both legal and at-home testing options.

Home DNA Tests:

By signing the enclosed consent form, you acknowledge that you have received informed consent to use the samples submitted to the lab. Using DNA samples without consent may have legal consequences in your state. We recommend referring to your state guidelines regarding DNA usage without permission.

Legal Tests:

To establish a proper legal chain of custody, permission is required. Hair samples used for legal cases are often collected when one of the participants is deceased. In this case, the party in charge of the deceased’s estate must give permission for the hair samples to be submitted to the lab for DNA analysis.

For questions regarding DNA testing using hair for legal purposes, please call 888-970-4211.