Before we get into the details about an accredited DNA testing lab, you need to understand what they are. By definition, accredited means recognition. And so, if a government body recognizes a running operation, it means that it maintains standard and displays competency. Without accreditation by an authoritative body, it is not possible to run a business. These authoritative bodies declare whether or not your business meets the required needs of the people. Accreditation ensures safety and regulation for the consumers and service providers which is why it is an important process.

Single authoritative bodies perform accreditation to make sure that there is no bias when accrediting. It also sets a single standard for all the businesses. As a result, this maintains a standard throughout the country and also accounts for objective judgment on deciding which business to award the accreditation certificate.

Accreditation and Certification

You may confuse accreditation with certification, but there is a difference between the two. Certification is usually for a person or a product. If a professional is certified, it means that he meets certain qualifications and skills to perform a task or a job. Product certification also proves that the product follows certain standards and fulfils particular requirements.

(source)

Accreditation, on the other hand, verifies that laboratories, schools or factories meet certain procedural standards. It confirms the quality, safety and efficiency of their operations. It is the main reason why labs perform tests according to their scope of accreditation.

DNA Testing Lab Accreditation

In order for a DNA testing lab to be accredited, a regulating authoritative body needs to award it with an accreditation certificate. Accreditation of a DNA testing lab is important as labs can use that certificate as a proof of their competency and high standards. Furthermore, the consumers can better trust accredited facilities as they have stamp of legitimacy. An accredited DNA testing lab is more likely to ensure an efficient testing method that produces accurate results.

There are a variety of accreditations programs that award certificates to labs. Here are some of them:

College of American Pathologist (CAP)

This is an accreditation program recognized by the federal government. It inspects labs thoroughly and requires them to participate in proficiency testing programs. CAP tests laboratories by sending them DNA samples three times a year for testing and examines the results.

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

This certification is limited to the labs in New York. The New York state department performs a complete inspection of the entire testing facility.

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

The US department of health organizes the CLIA accreditation. This program ensures that the laboratory services are efficient and the customers get the right services.  They also keep a keen check and balance on the accuracy and reliability of DNA testing labs.

American Associations of Blood Banks (AABB)

The AABB accreditation program is the highest ranked in USA. This program manages to make no compromises when inspecting DNA testing labs. It also makes sure that labs are up to par with modern testing standards and are free from errors, malpractice, and other issues. What’s more, courts only recognize DNA test results that come from AABB accredited labs.

Why AABB Accreditation Matters

DNA test results are only as good as the lab that produces them. Therefore, it is important for you to distinguish between good DNA testing labs and bad ones. The simplest way to check a lab’s legitimacy or quality is by looking at its accreditation certificate. AABB accreditation certificate is an internationally recognized certificate that you can rely on. Even the government mandates DNA testing from labs that associate with the AABB.

(source)

DNA testing performed by the labs that have an AABB certificate promise 99.9% accuracy. Not only that, government issues regarding child support, immigration or crime require DNA testing done only from AABB- accredited labs.

A DNA testing facility’s ability to maintain AABB-accreditation is proof that it commits to providing top quality standards while also ensuring that the testing equipments are up to date and the employees stay updated on new advancements.

Conclusion

It is crucial that you get your DNA test from an accredited lab. Since DNA testing equipment is now more accessible, many unaccredited labs have been providing these services. You may consider getting DNA testing from an unaccredited lab because it is much cheaper. However, it is important to note that DNA testing involves a lot more than just instruments and technique.

Getting these tests done by an accredited lab will provide accurate results. It will also allow you to receive counseling from experts and qualified scientists who maintain laboratory protocols. If you are looking to for an AABB accredited lab, visit AB DNA testing lab or call at 718-701-0292.