DNA testing questions, answered plainly

Paternity and maternity testing, prenatal parentage testing from an amniotic fluid sample, sibling and avuncular (uncle or aunt) testing, kinship and ancestral testing, DNA profile generation for an individual, and DNA profiling from biological samples such as stains. All of it is identity and relationship work.

A DNA relationship test compares genetic markers from two or more people to assess whether a claimed biological relationship is supported. It is used for questions such as paternity, maternity, siblingship and uncle or aunt relationships. It is not a medical or diagnostic test.

Every person inherits half of their genetic markers from their biological mother and half from their biological father. The laboratory builds a DNA profile for each participant and compares specific markers across those profiles. The pattern of shared and unshared markers indicates whether the claimed relationship is supported.

It depends on who is available to be tested. A child with the alleged father points to a paternity test; a child with the alleged mother to a maternity test; two possible brothers or sisters to a sibling test; a child with the alleged uncle or aunt to an avuncular test; and wider family questions to kinship testing. If you are unsure, tell us who is available and we will explain the appropriate option.

No. We do not determine or disclose the sex of a foetus in any circumstances, and we will not accept an enquiry for it. Prenatal sex determination is prohibited by law in India. Prenatal testing with us is limited to establishing parentage.

No. We do not test for illness, disease risk, carrier status or any genetic condition. Our work is identity and relationship testing only. For clinical or diagnostic testing, speak to your doctor.

A paternity DNA test compares a child’s DNA profile with that of the man who may be the biological father. Markers in the child’s profile that did not come from the mother are compared with the tested man’s profile to assess whether a biological relationship is supported.

Not always. Many paternity tests are carried out with the child and the alleged father alone. Including the mother’s sample can make the comparison more informative, so we will let you know whether it is worth including in your case.

Relationships can sometimes be examined through close biological relatives instead. A full brother or sister of the alleged father may be tested in an avuncular test, two possible siblings may be compared in a sibling test, or a grandparent may be included in a kinship comparison. Tell us who is willing to take part and we will explain what is possible.

Yes. Relationship testing compares DNA profiles, and age does not change the comparison. The same applies to maternity, sibling, avuncular and kinship testing.

Yes. Prenatal parentage testing compares a DNA profile obtained from a sample of amniotic fluid with the profile of the alleged parent. The comparison works the same way as testing after birth.

A qualified medical professional, as part of a clinical procedure. We do not carry out the collection. Whether the procedure is appropriate in your pregnancy is a decision for your treating doctor, not for us.

No. We do not determine or disclose foetal sex under any circumstances. Prenatal sex determination is prohibited by law in India. A prenatal test with us reports on parentage only.

As early as you can. Speaking to us before any clinical appointment is arranged means you will know what the laboratory needs and how the sample must reach us.

Yes. A sibling DNA test compares two people to assess how much of their genetic profile is shared, which indicates whether they are likely to be full siblings, half siblings or unrelated. It is normally considered when the parent in question cannot be tested.

Yes, through an avuncular test. It compares a child with a person said to be the full brother or sister of the child’s biological parent. It is usually considered where the parent themselves is unavailable for testing.

Full siblings share both biological parents and typically have more genetic markers in common. Half siblings share only one biological parent and share fewer. The analysis weighs the observed sharing against these expectations, so telling us what you already believe about the relationship helps us set up the right comparison.

Yes, as a kinship comparison. 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 and the answer becomes less clear-cut with distance. Including more relatives usually strengthens the conclusion.

Not always. A direct parent and child comparison is the most clear-cut. Sibling, avuncular and kinship results are statistical in nature and are reported as a likelihood of the claimed relationship. Including a known relative’s sample, where one is available, usually strengthens the comparison.

No. Ancestral testing here examines whether people appear to descend from a common paternal or maternal line. It is a family-line question, not an ethnicity estimate or heritage breakdown.

The sample requirement depends on the test being carried out and on how the report will be used. We confirm exactly what is needed, and how it must be collected, before anything is booked. Please do not send or arrange samples before speaking with us.

It produces a DNA profile for one person — a set of genetic markers unique to them, recorded in a standard format. Nothing is compared and no relationship is assessed. People ask for it for personal records, or so a reference profile exists if a comparison is ever needed later.

Sometimes. It is often possible to recover a profile from a biological stain or trace, but it depends on the sample: what it is, how much material is present, its age, and how it has been stored. Some samples give a full profile, some a partial one, and some give nothing. We will not promise a result before seeing what you have.

Contact us first. How a sample is collected, packaged and stored has a real effect on whether a usable profile can be recovered, and well-meant handling can make testing impossible.

No. A DNA profile of this kind uses identity markers. It does not carry information about health, illness or disease risk.

A standard booking is reported in 24 hours. Where you need it sooner, priority reporting can return results in as little as 5 hours — that is a paid upgrade charged on top of the test fee, not the standard service. The exact time also depends on the test, how many people are involved and when samples reach the laboratory, so tell us your deadline when you enquire and we will say honestly whether we can meet it.

Yes. Tests start at ₹5,500 with reporting in 24 hours. The 5 hours priority service is an upgrade charged in addition to the test fee, because the case is prioritised in the laboratory ahead of standard work. We will tell you the exact figure before you book, so nothing changes after you commit.

That depends on the test and the process being followed for your case. Tell us who is involved and where they are, and we will explain what the arrangement would look like.

Enquiries are handled privately. Share only what you are comfortable sharing on a first call or message — we do not need names or documents to explain which test applies to your situation.

Results are shared with the people identified when the test is arranged. We will confirm with you who the report will be released to before the test proceeds.

Enquiry information is used to respond to you and to arrange testing if you go ahead. Our Privacy Policy sets out how enquiry information and communication over WhatsApp are handled.

Rapid Root DNA is at Dwarka More, New Delhi, and is open 10:00 am – 9:00 pm. We take enquiries from across Delhi and Delhi NCR. Call or WhatsApp +91 70421 35307 before you visit, so we can confirm which test you need and who should come.

We are a DNA test centre in Delhi. We explain which test you need, arrange sample collection with written consent, and send you the report. The laboratory analysis is carried out by NABL-accredited and ISO-certified partner laboratories, and our scientists review each result before the report is released.

Sometimes. Priority reporting can return results in as little as 5 hours, for an additional charge. Whether a same-day report is possible depends on the test, how many people are involved and what time the samples reach the laboratory, so contact us early in the day and tell us your deadline.

Call or WhatsApp us on +91 70421 35307, or send your question through the enquiry form on this website. Tell us what you are trying to establish and who is available to take part, and we will explain the appropriate test.

Yes. We take enquiries from Delhi, New Delhi and the wider NCR. Mention where the people involved are located and we will tell you what is workable.

Tests start at ₹5,500. The final figure depends on which test is needed, how many people are involved, and whether you want the 5 hours priority reporting upgrade rather than the standard 24 hours. Call or WhatsApp us and we will quote your exact case before you commit to anything.