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1. How do I use the swabs? faq id: 530
   Here are step-by-step directions for using the cheek scrapers: 1) Remove the scraper from the packaging. 2) One end of the scraper has what looks like a flat toothbrush at the end. This is the end you will use to scrape, and is called a “swab.” 3) Insert the swab end of the scraper into your mouth. Hold the scraper at the opposite end like you would a toothbrush. 3) Rub the swab end of the scraper on the inside of your cheek. You may rub up and down, back and forth, or in circles, and you may change the direction you rub at any time. Be sure that the part you are rubbing against your cheek is the swab rather than the plastic rod behind it. 4) Rub vigorously for about a minute. You may rub for 30 seconds in one cheek and then 30 seconds in the other, or you may rub for the entire 60 seconds in one cheek. It is not necessary to draw blood, but if you do it will not harm the sample. 5) Once the minute is up, remove the scraper from your mouth. 6) Open one of the vials by twisting off the cap. Set it upright so that the liquid inside does not spill out. 7) Insert the swab end of the scraper into the vial. 8) Hold the scraper in the middle and push down on the handle end. This will push out the swab so that it is loose in the vial. 9) Throw away the scraper handle and twist the vial’s cap shut. Please be sure that it is shut tightly so that it will not leak. 10) Wait at least 4 hours to perform the second scraping and another 4 hours to perform the 3rd. This gives your cheeks time to recover and helps to give the lab a good backup sample just in case the first one is bad. When you are ready to perform the second scraping, follow steps 1-9 again, on the opposite cheek, using the second scraper and vial we provided. The third scraping can be done on either cheek.
2. My kit was missing a swab or a vial when I received it. How do I get a replacement? faq id: 531
   If you are missing a scraper or vial when you receive your kit, please call our office at (713) 868-1438 or email info@familytreedna.com. Have your kit number ready and we will have a replacement item sent to you the next day.
3. My cheek bled when I did the scraping, will this affect the sample? faq id: 532

   While we do not encourage you to draw blood, we can still use the sample even if contains a small amount of blood.  Blood is an excellent carrier of your DNA but while we appreciate your enthusiasm it is not necessary to scrape so hard.

4. I forgot to wait 4 hours between swabs. Do I need a new test? faq id: 533

   Generally we ask that people wait 4 hours between swabs. This gives your cheeks time to recover and helps to give the lab a good backup sample just in case the first one does not yield results. However, we are usually able to get a good swab regardless of whether you have waited the 4 hours or not. If this happened, please go ahead and send us the samples! If we are unable to get a clear result from the samples provided, we will send you replacement scrapers.

5. I’ve had a blood transfusion, radiation therapy, or surgery recently. Will this affect the sample? faq id: 534

   We recommend waiting one week after having serious surgery or radiation therapy before taking a sample. We suggest waiting 1-2 weeks after a blood transfusion as well.  However, even if you take the sample right away, the medical treatment you have had should not affect the sample and we will be able to get a good result. The only medical situation that would be of concern would be if you have had to have facial reconstruction surgery and you have had skin graphs from a donor implanted into your mouth. In this case, please call us at (713) 868-1438 and discuss the best way to get a sample.

6. After I return the kit, how long will results take? faq id: 535

   Once the kit is checked in at our office, results typically take 3-5 weeks. Once the results are in you will receive an email with online access to your results page.