AABB – American Association of Blood Banks accrediting agency.

Accreditation – The recognition by a third party accrediting agency that the company’s services consistently conform with the standards set by the accrediting agency.

Admissible – A document or expert testimony is considered to be “admissible” when it is accepted as evidence in a judicial matter.

Affidavit – A sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrate or officer.

Alleged Father – The man who may be the biological father of a child.

Allele - Any of the variations of a gene that may occur at a given locus

Antemortem – Preceding death

At-home Paternity DNA test – A DNA test where biological specimens are collected in a non-clinical setting without the usual Chain of Custody procedures. An at-home test result will not be accepted as proof in legal matters.

Autopsy sample – An autopsy DNA sample is one which is collected by a coroner or medical examiner during the examination of a body after death. Such samples usually consist of a blood sample.

Autosomal DNA – Autosomal DNA is the DNA derived from all of the chromosomes (22 pairs in total) except the sex chromosomes. A routine STR test involves the examination of a small percentage of the total autosomal DNA. The autosomal DNA examined in a DNA paternity test is non-coding i.e. it is not responsible for the generation of any physical characteristics or any physical functions.