Who should be tested in a Heritage ID DNA test?
The person whose sample needs to be preserved should be tested. 

What types of samples are taken from living parties?
Orchid Cellmark collects cheek swab samples from all living parties. These are painless and non-invasive and can be collected within a matter of minutes.

Who needs to be tested in a paternity, maternity or kinship case?
The people who need to be tested and the type of testing performed will vary, depending on the relationship to the person whose estate is being settled, and on the other individuals available for testing.

Can post-mortem estate testing be done even if the deceased did not store a sample?
Depending on the alleged relationship between the claimant and the deceased, it may be possible to test known siblings, children or parents of the deceased in comparison to the claimant. Alternatively, it may be possible to collect and test a known sample from the deceased including autopsy or pathology samples or personal possessions.

Can samples be taken from a recently deceased individual?
The best types of samples from a recently deceased individual are blood samples, cheek swabs, ear swabs, pulled hair and vitreous humor taken from the deceased either at the funeral home or by the coroner.

Is it possible to test cremated remains?
No, DNA is destroyed by the high heat of the cremation process.

Is it possible to obtain a sample from exhumed remains?
Depending on the age of the body, it is often possible to extract DNA from exhumed remains however it is preferable to test pathology samples or autopsy samples or personal possessions such as toothbrushes, razors, favorite hats, smoking pipes, etc. which may contain a DNA sample.