Chain of Custody – This term refers to the paper trail showing the collection, possession, control, transfer, analysis and disposition of physical evidence.

Cheek Swab sample – This type of sample is collected using cotton-tipped applicators that are rubbed inside a person’s mouth on the inner lining of the cheek. The samples which are collected are cheek cells, not saliva samples. Also known as a Buccal Swab.

Child Support – Child support is a court-ordered payment by one parent to the custodial parent of a minor child after divorce or separation of the parents.

Chromosome – Chromosomes are long pieces of DNA present in the nucleus of cells of living beings. A human has 46 chromosomes in total with 23 from each parent. The DNA in a chromosome is organized as a long chain called a “double helix” and further composed of four nucleotides: A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine) and G (guanine).

Combined Paternity Index – The Combined Paternity Index is the product of individual paternity indices at each genetic locus that is tested in a paternity test. The Combined Paternity Index indicates the possibility of the alleged father being the biological father relative to any other man selected at random from the population.

Court Ready Paternity test – A Court Ready Paternity test is a DNA test whereby biological specimens are collected by a third party according to strict chain of custody procedures. A court ready paternity result will be accepted as proof in legal matters.

Curiosity test – A DNA test whereby biological specimens are collected in a non-clinical setting without the usual Chain of Custody procedures. A curiosity test result will not be accepted as proof in legal matters.

Custody – Custody is a legal term used, most often in a divorce or separation, to describe who will have legal control and responsibility for a minor child. Legal custody may be granted to a single individual or to both parents (i.e. joint or shared custody).

Custodial Parent – Parent who has custody of the child.