Twin Testing

Identical Twins
At conception the egg from the female is fertilized by one sperm cell from the male. When cell division occurs this will divide into two new cells. These two new cells will then develop into two separate individuals. As a result the DNA from these two individuals will be identical.

Fraternal Twins
Fraternal twins are the result of two eggs being independently fertilized by two different sperm cells. As the DNA in the two different eggs and sperm cells are different, this will result in twins that are not identical. These all called fraternal twins.

This test determines the DNA profiles of the twins. If the profile is identical then a probability of them being identical twins is calculated.

This test has a turnaround time of 3-5 working days.

DNA and its use In Relationship Testing

DNA testing is based on the fact that we inherit half of our DNA from our father and half from our mother. Y STR DNA is passed on by males only and is the same along the paternal line. Mitochondrial DNA is passed on by females only to all her children.