This testing has many benefits due to the high accuracy of the test, ease of specimen collection, as well as the reasonable cost of the test. DNA is found in virtually every cell in the body, so testing can be performed on many different specimen types.
Blood is the most common due to ease of collection and ease of DNA extraction.
The volume of blood required for testing is quite small, so this specimen type can be easily and safely collected from adults as well as children and newborns.