DNA Test Processing Times

Last updated on November 16th, 2022 at 05:34 pm

There is a requirement of a lab to perform a DNA test, and there are quite a few steps for the test to be processed. After the sample has been collected from the person, the cell’s membranes are broken down in the process.

Usually, enzymes are added to a solution along with the sample. Once this is done, the DNA is separated in many ways. Once that is done, several copies are made in order to acquire markers.

Then comes the process of testing and matching the sample with other samples to find out which one it matches.

Procedures

As mentioned above, there are generally around four steps needed to get the DNA testing done. You might want to understand each process in detail before you get your DNA testing done.

Moreover, having knowledge about the processes in detail will also give you an idea regarding the time taken.

Extracting is the first step to make the process of the DNA being released easier. The molecules are kept mixed into a solution, and they are then isolated with the help of inhibitors.

The most well-known methods of extracting is either organically or with the help of a system. If the lab you have given your samples to uses robotic systems, the testing process might be quicker than the organic method.

The following two steps are quantitation and amplification. Both the quantity and the quality of the DNA are checked during this process. There are numerous copies made after that. All the molecules are separated, and the data will also be distributed in order to form a separate profile that will match some other data.

Test Processing time

After having received the sample, they will check it and notify you regarding the received data via email most of the time. The sample will then start going through the various steps, and it is going to be processed by the lab.

However, the sample will only reach the lab after it has been assigned. Since they might have a number of samples lined, they fix up the lab schedules for processing. The sample is usually assigned two weeks of getting the same.

The results are then posted on the website, but it won’t have the matched data yet. The process matches will be a bit later, and having done that, the final results will be conveyed to you via email.

Most labs take about seven to eight weeks for all of these steps, which is typical for all sites and labs. A majority of the DNA and drug testing clinics nationwide services and sites have sales during some months, and during that time, they have the traffic of samples that needs to be processed.

There are some sites like Ancestry.com that provide results within a span of ten days, but this might vary when they have sales. The backlogs need to be completed first, and then only will they be able to process your sample.

However, one point that should be kept in mind while ordering the DNA test from any site is that you should download your raw data as soon as you give it up. Some sites don’t allow you to get back your raw data or sample, and this limits your ability to transfer to other sites to get the matches.

Almost every lab has batches that have been assigned a certain number of samples to be processed. Since different batches start the process at separate time slots, especially after finishing the backlogs first, the test processing time varies mostly.

You should understand this process of most labs having different slots, especially if you have multiple tests or samples. If the samples have not been assigned to a particular batch yet, you will have to estimate the time since you are aware that none of the processes will start without an assigned slot.

Requirements

A majority of the sites require you to activate an account to submit your samples to the lad. This is where you will be getting all the details and notifications regarding the test processing as well.

Moreover, that account should be linked with your email id along with various other contact details so that the site or lab can get back to you. This avoids minor miscommunication and avoids any sort of mix-up with the data.

Protecting the data and, most importantly, being able to provide precise information and matches is the priority of all sites and labs conducting DNA tests. Hence, they might take some time to segregate specific samples and assigning them to certain slots.

Endnotes

After getting a proper understanding of how DNA tests work and the processes that the samples go through, processing times also become easier to estimate. Moreover, most of the sites complete the DNA test processing quickly, considering if they have less traffic.

Hence, depending on the same, you can either get the results in less than ten days or as late as eight weeks. However, the delay is usually only seen when the sales are up, and the cost is comparatively low.