Buccal swabs are used for DNA and HLA testing, with the swab rubbed against the inside of a person’s cheek to obtain a sample. The procedure is simple and relatively inexpensive, making it popular for home DNA testing. It can be used in medical and law enforcement investigations, but may not be considered evidence in court.
A cheek or cheek swab is the preferred method of obtaining a sample for two types of profile tests commonly performed in medical and sometimes law enforcement investigations. The swab itself is very similar to a cotton-tipped applicator used in makeup application, but is different in a couple of key areas. First, the swab has a cotton tip on one end only. Second, the swab shaft is generally longer than those used for personal applications.
The two tests for which buccal swabs are used most often are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tests. DNA tests typically try to identify or match a person based on a sample obtained from somewhere else. This could help determine paternity of a child, identify a deceased victim, or help place a suspect on a particular crime scene where a sample was left. Conversely, the medical community generally uses HLA testing to identify who might be a good donor for an organ or bone marrow transplant.
The procedure for a buccal swab is relatively simple. One person removes the swab from a sterile package and rubs the cotton tip against the inside of another person’s cheek. The name buccal actually means oral cavity or cheeks. This removes the cells which can then be tested without any discomfort to the person being swabbed. The swab is then placed in another sterile container, usually a hard plastic tube, and sent to a laboratory for examination.
Getting a buccal swab typically involves visiting a medical lab or doctor. Police investigators can ask an officer to obtain the sample from a suspect on the spot. Typically, this can only be done with a suspect’s permission. In cases where permission is not granted, the officer or investigator could go to court and request that a judge require the suspect to cooperate in the test with a warrant.
The accuracy of a buccal swab is very, though not perfect. In fact, a blood test and a buccal swab test provide the same level of accuracy, which is why swabs have become so popular in recent years. It may be a little easier to accidentally contaminate a tampon, however, if it comes in contact with another person’s bodily fluids, such as blood, sweat or semen, but this is rare if the proper precautions are applied.
Because of the relatively simple procedure and inexpensive cost of a buccal swab, it is also the preferred method for home DNA testing. Individuals seeking to confirm paternity or obtain a DNA ancestry profile can order home kits. The individual can swab themselves or have another person do the swab and send the test to a laboratory for analysis. Such tests may not be considered evidence in court because no chain of custody rules are followed, but they could provide information to an individual seeking to move forward with a family law civil case.
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