Reference Sample | DNA Testing Glossary
A reference sample is a DNA sample collected from a known individual that is used as a point of comparison in relationship testing. In a standard paternity test, the child's sample and the alleged father's sample are both reference samples — their identities are known, and the lab compares their DNA profiles to determine if a biological relationship exists. In indirect relationship tests (such as grandparent or sibling tests), the mother's sample is often included as an additional reference sample. Having the mother's DNA profile allows the lab to determine which alleles the child inherited from the maternal side, making it easier to isolate the alleles that must have come from the paternal side and improving the statistical strength of the result.
Related Terms
Buccal Swab, DNA Profile, Kinship DNA Test, Grandparent DNA Test, Alleged Father
