About DNA Qld™

DNA Qld is the only private paternity testing facility in Queensland.  The company is based in Brisbane and owned by Queenslanders.  We specialize in paternity, DNA profiling, relationship testing and DNA investigative testing.  We also offer a secure DNA banking facility.  Our specialist scientists are accredited by the Family Law Court of Australia to provide paternity testing reports which are admissible in the Australian Family Law courts.  DNA is extracted from buccal swabs, CVS or amniotic fluid which can be collected from individuals located in any areas of Australia or overseas, and sent to our testing facility.

We are the preferred provider of paternity testing for Healthscope Molecular/Gribbles Pathology and their affiliates. This affiliation allows samples to be collected in the pathology collection centres of Gribbles Pathology, Davies Campbell de Lambert, and General Pathology Laboratories. QML is a pathology collection agency for areas of Queensland.

DNA Qld can also offer a full range of Paternity and DNA counselling services by a Genetic Counsellor and a consultant Psychologist.

DNA Qld provides the following services:

• DNA testing for individuals and corporate entities

• Paternity testing for legal cases required by the Family Law Court of Australia and “Peace of Mind” testing for non-legally admissible cases

• Relationship testing for legal cases required by the Family Law Court of Australia and “Peace of Mind” testing for non-legally admissible cases

• Paternity testing for clients in Malaysia, Singapore , New Zealand , PNG, and the Asia Pacific region
• DNA profiling for clients travelling overseas or those employed in hazardous situations

• Forensic testing

• DNA banking

• DNA QLD offers a competitive pricing structure, utilizing the latest DNA technology.

• The only private Paternity/DNA testing laboratory based in Queensland servicing Queensland, other Australian states and Australasia

• Counselling and support from accredited counsellors and scientists regarding testing and outcomes

• Counselling from an Clinical Geneticist or Genetic Counsellor regarding DNA banking or testing

Information for Medical Practitioners

DNA testing is often a very emotive issue. From the perspective of a medical practitioner it is sometimes very difficult where you may actively be involved in the care and management of members from both sides of the family. With this in mind we often suggest that medical practitioners allow us to implement the testing and delivering of any results. This means that confidential results will only then be held by the patient and will not be stored at any other site. It also means that doctors continue the therapeutic relationship with both sides of the family as they are neither in the loop of the testing, nor are they responsible for the delivery of any results.

Whilst there may be certain circumstances where you believe that it may be in the family’s best interest for you to be involved in this process, it is certainly one we would like to discuss with you before hand so we can be clear as to the process, particularly with respect to the reporting of results.

As an addition, it must be remembered that consultations regarding paternity testing do not attract a Medicare rebate. Additionally it is important for patients to recognise that there is no Medicare rebate for DNA testing.

DNA Qld is able to determine paternity from prenatal samples from CVS or amniocentesis. please contact DNA Qld to inquire about this procedure.

Medical practitioners may approached to collect samples for clients undertaking a legal paternity test. The client will supply a sealed collecion kit which includes a checklist which outlines the steps for sample collection, an information sheet on who to collect the sample, Form 4 and Form 2 to be completed by the collector and a return addressed express post bag for the return to DNA Qld of the swabs and completed forms after collection.

If you have any questions regarding the nature of paternity testing or swab collection, please, of course, do not hesitate in contacting us on 1300 1 PATERNITY or our mobile contact listed on DNA Qld message bank.

Information for Legal Practitioners

At DNA Queensland we have two categories of paternity testing which we offer. One of these is called "Peace of Mind" testing (non-legal). Through this process, participants in the process forward to us a specimen which they have provided to us in good faith. With this form of testing there is no requirement for identity checking to occur.

For those who require legal testing to be undertaken, there is a separate process which is more extensive in its paperwork and its requirements with respect to specimen collection and confirming identification. It is not possible to undertake "Peace of Mind" testing and then to upgrade to Legal testing. This requires a complete round of testing to be re-implemented. This would mean that the costs of both the Peace of Mind and Legal testing would need to be met.

We appreciate the complexities of family dynamics and the unusual circumstances which may arise with respect to specimen collection. Our trained staff are able to advise you on special or specific requirements regarding particular circumstances.

For more complex lineage testing, for instance attempting to prove a child’s grandparentage, this is significantly more complex and we would need more specialised information regarding those available for testing. In these circumstances the cost of such testing may be significantly higher than is applicable in standard paternity testing.

If there are any questions regarding the process please do not hesitate in contacting us on 1300 1 PATERNITY.

News

August 2007 - DNA Qld has been accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for Forensic Testing (Accreditation Code 15666 for Forensic Science 18.20 Parentage Testing [.01 DNA typing - PCR]) which is awarded to laboratories that fufill the most stringent criteria for Paternity testing. The rating of ISO 17025 ensures that testing will be done with the highest standards of accuracy.

November 2007 - DNA Qld has been named as the preferred provider of Paternity Testing by Healthscope Molecular, Gribbles Pathology and Davies Campbell de Lambert. This agreement also provides for Paternity testing in Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand. DNA Qld has been approved as a provider for QML for paternity testing in Queensland.

December 2007 - DNA Qld launches a swab collection video for use with Peace of Mind self collection or for a legal collection with an authorised collector. A link to the video is located in the Forms and Applications

February 2008 - DNA Qld staff have gained a Commissioner of Declarations qualification from the Queensland Justice Department, which allows us to witness the legal affadavit Form 2. This makes collections easier as clients do not have to access a police station or Justice of the Peace for witnessing of the affavidit. Free of charge collections can be done in our Brisbane office for both legal and non-legal testing.

April 2008 - DNA Qld is the main provider for prenatal paternity testing in Queensland. DNA Qld liaises with private ultrasound clinics to facilitate the amniocentesis or CVS sample and DNA swab collection. Collections are also available in Ultrasound clinics Australia wide. We coordinate the logistics of the sample collection and transport within Australian complying to IATA regulations.

May 2008 - DNA QLD is registered with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for interpreter services. If assistance is required in requesting a service or understanding the test results, assistance from interpereters at the Client Liasion Service is provided free of charge. Call FREECAL 1300 655 820 and ask for an interpreter for DNA QLD.i

June 2008 - DNA QLD facilitates paternity testing for clients in Papua New Guinea. Pathology groups in PNG are pleased to offer this requested service to their clients.

April 200s

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