Is blood a more accurate sample than saliva for DNA testing?
A common misconception is that blood DNA testing is more reliable than performing a DNA test through saliva. Clients looking to perform a paternity test think that sending in blood DNA for their test will increase the accuracy of the test. This is of course incorrect since performing a DNA test through blood will give the same accuracy as performing it with any other sample that contains DNA including hair DNA. It is therefore important to understand that once enough DNA is obtained from the blood, swab, hair or semen, the DNA profile is the same throughout and will give the same paternity test result. Another issue relating to blood DNA testing is that taking the samples can be an uncomfortable and even painful experience. Obtaining the blood requires the drawing of blood which can be a problem when you have to take it from children. Taking a saliva sample though an oral swab clearly is a much simpler process and can be done by the client themselves at the comfort of their own residen