DNA Testing in Little Rock, Arkansas

Paternity Testing in Little Rock AR

There are several types of DNA testing services that are offered at our Little Rock testing centers to validate close family relationships. The most commonly ordered DNA test is a legal paternity test to conclusively establish whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. Health Street's 21 marker DNA paternity testing is the state of the art. Our paternity test results are statistically conclusive at the rate of 99.9% or greater.

Other DNA Tests

Relationship Tests to validate grandparent to grandchild, siblings, half-siblings, aunts, and uncles:

DNA tests such as sibling or avuncular studies, can sometimes come back with a result of less than 95% certainty. This is normal, especially if only two parties participate in the test. Adding an additional close relative to the test helps us learn more about the family's DNA composition and typically leads to a more conclusive result.

Specimens we can test for DNA

The easiest and most reliable way to perform a genetic sample collection for a paternity test is by a swab of the inner cheeks. These skin cells, known as buccal cells, rub off easily onto cotton swabs and remain in place, to be extracted by our testing laboratories for anlalysis.

Other specimens, such as hair follicles, fingernails, and garments that might contain someone's DNA, can also undergo lab testing to see if there is a match. These non-standard DNA tests are done by registering online for an Alternative Specimen DNA Test (Nails, Teeth, Fabric). Once registered, you ship the DNA sample to our lab. We'll attempt to extract the DNA and compare it to a cheek swab of the other party.

Legal DNA Tests vs. "Peace of Mind" At-Home Tests

When deciding which type of DNA test is right for you, consider first what you might do with the results. In order for the results to hold up in court, the DNA specimen must be collected at a clinic using strict chain of custody procedures. The DNA testing technicians at our Little Rock test centers are trained to follow guidelines that ensure that the results can be used for legal purposes.

The results of our legal DNA tests can be used for any legal purpose:

Home tests offer more flexibility:

Home DNA tests are specimens containing DNA (or possible DNA) that are shipped to us for analysis. The results of these home tests cannot be used in court (since there is no way to prove whose specimens were actually sent). However, the tests are just as accurate and can provide peace of mind. At-home DNA tests also offer a lot more flexibility.

In addition to commonly mailed in DNA specimens like hair follicles, we can also extract DNA from other bodily fluids. We can even try and lift the DNA left on items like clothing, a toothbrush, or a straw. If we can get the DNA from the alternative item, we can then compare it to another person to see if they are related. Some examples include:

How to schedule a DNA Test in Little Rock AR

Scheduling a DNA test at one of our Little Rock clinics is simple and fast, and we often have appointments available in the same week, though it's always helpful to schedule in advance to make sure you get the time you want. We have clinics in Little Rock, plus many more throughout Arkansas and across the United States. During registration, we'll show you the nearest locations so you can choose the one that's most convenient. You'll pick the times and days that you prefer.

You can set up separate appointments for each of the people being tested, either at the same location or at different locations. You'll get an email and text message with your appointment information. There is no fee if you need to change the time or location of a DNA test appointment at any time.

How long it takes to get results of a DNA test

Paternity tests conducted at one of our Little Rock facilities typically take about a week to come back. Other relationship tests, such as sibling studies, can take a few days longer to come back. When the results are ready, you are notified immediately via email. Then, the hard copies of the paperwork are sent afterward via regular mail.

The DNA test appointment - what to expect and what to bring

The appointment itself only takes about 15 minutes. The specimen collection process is a simple and painless cheek swab. No needles are used. When you're being tested at our Little Rock clinic, you'll be asked to provide fingerprints and to show photo identification. We'll also take pictures of the people being tested so that the final report will include legal assurances of who was actually tested.

For infants, hospital discharge papers qualify as identification. Otherwise, a birth certificate or social security card can be used as ID for a child. No other preparations are required for this appointment.

Does the mother need to be present at a paternity test?

If a man is considered the legal father of a child, then the mother does not have to be present or give consent for paternity testing. However, if he is not currently considered the legal father, then he cannot sign for the child. Therefore, the mother does need to be there. If neither parent is available, other legal guardians can bring the child so long as they have the right to make medical decisions on the child's behalf.

DNA testing if one party is not in Little Rock

The two parties testing (for example: father and child) do not have to be tested at the same time or even at the same location. We have many clinics across Arkansas as well as nationwide, so we can test one party in Little Rock and the other party anywhere else in the USA. The specimens are then matched up in the lab for analysis.

Laboratory certifications

Health Street works strictly with AABB Certified labs for DNA testing. All specimens that are collected in Little Rock or elsewhere are shipped securely from our testing locations to a nationally certified laboratory.

Little Rock: The Cultural, Economic and Judicial Heart of Arkansas

With close to 200,000 residents, Little Rock is the home of 15% of the population of Arkansas. With many large businesses like Dillards, Acxiom, and Stephens Inc. headquartered there, it's also a huge employment hub. The combination of valuable employment opportunities with plenty of residential neighborhoods and gorgeous green space makes this a popular place to settle in America's southern states.

Little Rock's Presidential DNA Connections

Despite its smaller size, Little Rock and the state of Arkansas have connections to the highest levels of American government. One of Little Rock's most famous one-time residents is Bill Clinton, Governor of Arkansas and America's 42^ndPresident, who was the second to be impeached during his time in office.

During the Clinton impeachment, much attention was paid to DNA testing and the possibilities that this can offer. According to Ken Starr's report, DNA evidence found on a dress worn by Monica Lewinsky was tested and found to match President Clinton, conclusively establishing their sexual relationship.

In more recent news, the son of presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has been established as the father of a local child through DNA testing. Hunter Biden responded to a paternity suit from Arkansas native Lundun Roberts in late 2019, initially denying paternity before a DNA test proved beyond doubt that he is the child's father.

According to the Arkansas State Crime Lab's Executive Director Kermit Channell, DNA testing is the gold standard to establish parentage. "It's very accurate, with greater than 99.999% probability of parentage. It doesn't get much better than that," he said in a September 2019 interview.

How DNA Testing Affects Regular Paternity Issues in Little Rock

It isn't just public officials that can benefit from the clarity of DNA testing for paternity. Like many states, Arkansas relies on marriage, or the mutual signing of an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) to establish the relationship between father and child. If the parents of the child are unmarried, but both complete the AOP under the supervision of a Notary Public, this simple form gives the father complete legal access to his child.

If there is any uncertainty, or if the father does not comply, the mother can go to the Office of Child Support Enforcement in Little Rock to help establish the putative father as the child's legal father. A paternity DNA test makes this easy.

DNA Testing Experience

Health Street has been performing genetic tests nationally since 2010; our first DNA test in Little Rock, AR was in October of 2012. Since then, our Little Rock clinic locations have completed 47 DNA tests for local residents at our Little Rock specimen collection sites, plus thousands more in other Arkansas locations and across the USA.

Clinic Hours of Operation for DNA testing in Little Rock

Neighborhoods in Little Rock served by our clinics:

We also offer other services, such as: