DNA evidence has become an invaluable tool for family law, helping solicitors bring clarity to their cases- from child custody and welfare to inheritance disputes and immigration. However, this evidence is only as reliable as the standards and processes that underpin it. The admissibility and credibility of results in court are heavily dependent on the integrity of the process, and accreditation is central to this.
For solicitors, understanding why accreditation matters in legal DNA testing is crucial – not just as a regulatory formality, but to safeguard clients and case outcomes.
Understanding accreditation
Legal DNA testing must be carried out by laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and approved by the Ministry of Justice.
These accreditations signal that a laboratory meets rigorous technical, ethical and procedural standards, and demonstrates competence, consistency and reliability throughout every stage of the testing process. It also ensures that results are court admissible. Without, results will not be accepted as evidence, and this could potentially delay proceedings and cause additional stress for clients.
At NorthGene™, all legal DNA tests are conducted under UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation and Ministry of Justice approval. They maintain the highest standards of quality and reliability from sample collection to testing and analysis, providing full assurance of reliability and court admissibility.
Maintaining chain of custody
Every step of the legal DNA testing process must be controlled to reduce the risk of sample tampering, misidentification or procedural errors. Accreditation ensures that testing providers adhere to the requirements below:
- Samples must be collected by an impartial, independent third party (such as the sample collectors despatched by NorthGene™).
- Photo identification must be provided by the participants at the time of sample collection, for example, a passport or driver’s licence.
- Collection photos must be signed and verified during the appointment:
- in the UK, the sample collector will take a photo of the participant at the point of collection, and
- for international cases, two passport-sized photos must be signed by the sample collector.
- Samples are returned to the NorthGene™ laboratory in the sealed tamper-proof packaging provided.
- Results are only issued to authorised individuals (listed on the registration form) within 2-3 working days. These individuals are typically the solicitors handling the case. It is then their responsibility to pass the results onto the participants.
- Throughout, the NorthGene™ team will only communicate with the lead solicitor on the case to maintain the highest levels data protection and confidentiality.
For solicitors, this chain of custody provides confidence that the evidence they submit on behalf of their clients is accurate, trustworthy and legally admissible. This ensures results can be relied upon to support decisions in custody, inheritance or immigration cases.
Driving efficiency
Accreditation also drives efficiency. Ministry of Justice approved laboratories, such as NorthGene™, have established procedures, trained staff and quality control measures in place that allow results to be delivered reliably within strict legal timelines.
Upon receiving your registration form, NorthGene™ sample collectors contact the participants directly within one working day to arrange an appointment at their earliest convenience. Their dedicated team manages the process from start to finish, ensuring that all information is accurate and minimising delays. Once all samples are received at their UK-based laboratory, results are issued within 2-3 working days.
Supporting complex cases
Additionally, accredited laboratories like NorthGene™ are equipped to handle a wide range of relationship tests and conduct them according to regulatory standards.
These tests include:
- Paternity
- Non-invasive prenatal paternity
- Maternity
- Siblingship
- Grandparentage
- Avuncular
NorthGene™ applies the same level of care and quality management to every case, from direct paternity testing or more complex matters. This also extends to cases where clients may be located across the UK or internationally, ensuring that solicitors can rely on consistent, reliable results.
Confidence in results
Ultimately, accreditation safeguards solicitors, the courts and your clients. For legal professionals, it means evidence can be submitted with confidence, and for the courts, it ensures the integrity of results that underpin sound decision-making. It also reassures your clients that their cases are being handled by experts who follow the highest professional standards.
In matters where results carry significant emotional, legal, and financial weight, choosing an accredited testing provider is essential. Accreditation is the foundation of trust, certainty, and integrity in family law proceedings.
Learn more about a NorthGene™ legal DNA test on their website, or to register a case today, click here.
This article was submitted by NorthGene™ as part of an advertising agreement with Today’s Family Lawyer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Family Lawyer.
