DNA tests
DNA tests we carry out in Delhi
Parentage testing, kinship testing and DNA profiling. Which one applies usually comes down to who — or what — is available to be tested.
01 · Parentage testing
Parentage testing
Establishing whether a particular man or woman is the biological parent of a child — before or after birth.
Paternity DNA Test
“Is this man the biological father of this child?”
- What is tested
- Child and alleged father. The mother is sometimes included.
A paternity DNA test compares inherited genetic markers in a child’s DNA profile with those of the man being tested. A child inherits one half of these markers from the biological mother and the other half from the biological father.
When the markers in the child’s profile that did not come from the mother are consistent with the tested man, the results support a biological relationship. When several markers cannot be accounted for, they do not.
Including the mother’s sample is optional in many cases and can make the comparison more informative. We will tell you what is appropriate for your situation before anything is booked.
- The most common test people enquire about.
- The mother’s participation is helpful but not always required.
- If the alleged father is not available, a sibling or avuncular test may be discussed instead.
Maternity DNA Test
“Is this woman the biological mother of this child?”
- What is tested
- Child and alleged mother.
A maternity DNA test works on the same principle as a paternity test, with the comparison made against the woman being tested rather than the man.
People enquire about maternity testing in a number of situations — questions raised after a hospital birth, confirming a relationship for family records, or completing a picture where other relatives have already been tested.
The comparison, sample handling and reporting follow the same process as any other parentage test.
- Uses the same genetic-marker comparison as a paternity test.
- Often requested alongside a paternity test where both parents are in question.
Prenatal Paternity & Maternity DNA Test
“Can parentage be established before the child is born?”
- What is tested
- The amniotic fluid sample, the alleged father or mother, and usually the mother.
Prenatal parentage testing compares a DNA profile obtained from a sample of amniotic fluid with the profile of the alleged parent. The comparison itself works the same way as testing after birth.
The sample is collected by a qualified medical professional as part of a clinical procedure — we do not carry out the collection and we cannot advise on whether such a procedure is suitable in your pregnancy. That decision rests with your treating doctor.
Speak to us early if you are considering this, so you understand what the laboratory needs before any clinical appointment is arranged.
- Requires an amniotic fluid sample collected by a medical professional.
- We do not determine or disclose the sex of a foetus under any circumstances.
- Whether the collection procedure is appropriate is a decision for your treating doctor, not for us.
02 · Kinship testing
Kinship testing
Used when the parent in question cannot be tested, and the relationship has to be examined through other family members.
Sibling DNA Test
“Are we full siblings, half siblings, or not biologically related?”
- What is tested
- Two people who may be siblings.
A sibling DNA test is usually considered when the parent in question is not available for testing. Instead of comparing a child with a parent, the test compares two people with each other and assesses how much of their genetic profile is shared.
Siblings who share both biological parents (full siblings) typically have more DNA in common than siblings who share only one parent (half siblings), who in turn share more than two unrelated people.
Because this is a statistical comparison rather than a direct parent-and-child match, sibling testing is less clear-cut than a paternity test. Including a known parent’s sample, where possible, usually strengthens the comparison. We will talk this through with you honestly before you decide.
- Useful when the alleged father or mother cannot be tested.
- Can be set up as full-sibling or half-sibling analysis, depending on what you already know.
- A known parent’s sample, where available, improves the comparison.
Avuncular DNA Test
“Is this man or woman the biological uncle or aunt of this child?”
- What is tested
- Child and the alleged biological brother or sister of the parent in question.
An avuncular test is generally used when the alleged father or mother is unavailable — for example if the person has passed away, cannot be traced, or does not wish to take part — but a full brother or sister of that person is willing to be tested.
Because an uncle or aunt shares a predictable proportion of DNA with their sibling’s child, the comparison can indicate whether a biological relationship is likely through that side of the family.
The relationship being claimed matters here. The tested relative should be a full sibling of the parent in question for the comparison to be meaningful, and including the child’s known parent can help. Tell us who is available and we will explain what the test can and cannot show.
- Considered when direct parent testing is not possible.
- The tested aunt or uncle should be a full sibling of the parent in question.
- Results are expressed as a likelihood of relationship rather than a simple yes or no.
Kinship & Ancestral DNA Test
“How are these people related, and does this family line connect?”
- What is tested
- Two or more relatives, depending on the relationship being examined.
Kinship testing covers relationships beyond the immediate parent, sibling and uncle or aunt comparisons — for example a grandparent and grandchild, or cousins. The further apart two people are on a family tree, the less DNA they share, so the analysis is set up around the specific relationship being claimed.
Ancestral testing looks at lineage rather than a single relationship: whether two people appear to descend from a common paternal or maternal line. It is used for family-line questions, not for producing an ethnicity or heritage percentage report.
Tell us how you believe the people are related and who can give a sample. Which analysis suits your case, and how strong an answer it can give, both depend on those two things.
- Covers grandparent, cousin and other close-relative comparisons.
- Results are expressed as a likelihood, and get less clear-cut as the relationship becomes more distant.
- The more relatives available to test, the stronger the conclusion is likely to be.
03 · DNA profiling
DNA profiling
Generating a DNA profile from a person, or from a biological sample, rather than comparing two people.
DNA Profile Generation
“Can I have my own DNA profile prepared and kept on record?”
- What is tested
- One person.
A DNA profile is a set of genetic markers unique to one person, recorded in a standard format. Nothing is compared and no relationship is assessed — the output is the profile itself.
People ask for this for personal records, or so that a profile exists and can be compared later if it is ever needed.
A DNA profile carries no health or medical information. It identifies, it does not diagnose.
- One person, no comparison.
- Can be used as a reference profile for a comparison at a later date.
- Contains no information about health, illness or disease risk.
DNA Profile from Biological Samples
“Can a DNA profile be obtained from this sample?”
- What is tested
- The submitted sample — for example a semen stain, a saliva stain or a similar biological trace.
Where a person cannot give a sample directly, it is sometimes possible to recover a DNA profile from a biological stain or trace instead. That profile can then be held on record, or compared with another profile if you go on to ask for a comparison.
Whether a usable profile can be recovered depends on the sample: what it is, how much material is present, how old it is, and how it has been stored and handled. Some samples yield a full profile, some a partial one, and some yield nothing at all.
Because of that, we do not promise a result before seeing what you have. Talk to us before collecting or sending anything — how a sample is packaged and stored makes a real difference to whether it can be used.
- Suitability is assessed sample by sample; a usable profile cannot be guaranteed in advance.
- Condition, age and storage of the sample all affect whether a profile can be recovered.
- Speak to us before collecting or sending a sample so it is not handled in a way that makes testing impossible.
Turnaround
24 hours as standard, or as little as 5 hours on priority
Most people who call us are working to a deadline. A standard booking is reported in 24 hours. Where that is not fast enough, priority reporting can return results in as little as 5 hours.
Priority is a paid upgrade. Priority reporting is charged in addition to the test fee. Tests themselves start at ₹5,500, and we quote your exact case before you book.
What affects the timeline
- Which test is being run — not every comparison can be expedited.
- How many people are involved, and when each sample reaches the laboratory.
- Sample quality. A sample that gives a poor profile has to be re-run, and rushing that would make the result less reliable, not more.
[PRIORITY_CONDITIONS — which tests qualify for 5-hour reporting, what the priority service costs, and by when samples must reach the laboratory]
Comparison
Which DNA test should I choose?
Start from who — or what — is available to be tested. That usually decides the test for you.
| Test | What is tested | Typically chosen when |
|---|---|---|
| Paternity DNA Test | Child and alleged father. The mother is sometimes included. | The most common test people enquire about. |
| Maternity DNA Test | Child and alleged mother. | Uses the same genetic-marker comparison as a paternity test. |
| Prenatal Paternity & Maternity DNA Test | The amniotic fluid sample, the alleged father or mother, and usually the mother. | Requires an amniotic fluid sample collected by a medical professional. |
| Sibling DNA Test | Two people who may be siblings. | Useful when the alleged father or mother cannot be tested. |
| Avuncular DNA Test | Child and the alleged biological brother or sister of the parent in question. | Considered when direct parent testing is not possible. |
| Kinship & Ancestral DNA Test | Two or more relatives, depending on the relationship being examined. | Covers grandparent, cousin and other close-relative comparisons. |
| DNA Profile Generation | One person. | One person, no comparison. |
| DNA Profile from Biological Samples | The submitted sample — for example a semen stain, a saliva stain or a similar biological trace. | Suitability is assessed sample by sample; a usable profile cannot be guaranteed in advance. |
A direct parent-and-child comparison gives the most clear-cut result. Kinship tests are used when that is not possible, and their results are expressed as a likelihood. We will tell you which category your situation falls into before you decide anything.
Scope
Tests we do not carry out
Two things we are asked for and will not do, whatever the circumstances.
Sex determination before birth
We do not determine or disclose the sex of a foetus, and we will not accept an enquiry for it. Prenatal sex determination is prohibited by law in India.
Diagnostic or health testing
We do not test for illness, disease risk or genetic conditions of any kind. Those are clinical tests and belong with your doctor.
The process
What happens after you enquire
The same five steps apply whichever test you choose.
- 1
Tell us what you need to establish
Call or message us with the basics — who or what is involved and what you are trying to confirm. You do not need to explain more than you are comfortable with.
- 2
We explain the test that fits your situation
We go through the appropriate test, who needs to take part, and what samples are involved, before you commit to anything.
- 3
Samples are collected as required for that test
Sample requirements depend on the test chosen and on how the report will be used. We confirm the exact process with you in advance.
- 4
DNA profiles are prepared and compared in the laboratory
Genetic markers are profiled from each sample and, where a relationship is in question, compared to assess whether the claimed relationship is supported by the data.
- 5
You receive the report
The report is issued according to the process applicable to the test you chose. We will tell you what to expect at the time of booking.
Sample requirements, timelines and reporting differ between tests. We confirm the details that apply to your case when you enquire, rather than promising a single process for everyone.
Enquiry
Enquire about a DNA test
Tell us what you need to establish and who is available to take part. If you would rather talk it through, call or WhatsApp us on the number below.
- Tell us the relationship you need to establish and who is available to take part.
- You do not need to share names or documents to get a first answer.
- Prefer to talk instead? Call or message us directly.
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Still deciding between two tests?
Describe your situation and we will tell you which test fits, what each person would need to do, and what the report would be able to show.
Rapid Root DNA · Dwarka More, New Delhi · Open 10:00 am – 9:00 pm · +91 70421 35307