How are donors identified at the time of sampling?

The donor must provide two passport-size photographs and the person taking the sample, ‘the sampler’, must sign them on the back, certifying that the sample has been taken from the person in the photograph. If one of our own registered samplers is taking the sample, then they can, with the donors permission take a digital photograph of the donor instead. 

If at a later date, there is any debate over the identity of the person who donated a sample for testing, then one of the photographs and a copy of the donor’s consent form may be provided to the disputing party/organisation concerned for clarification e.g. for legal/court cases or immigration. We also require your client to bring such documentation as is available to prove their identity, preferably a photo ID. This could be for example, a passport, driving licence, Armed Forces Identity Card, bank card/statement, utility bill (with home address), birth certificate or UK Borders Agency documentation. We will generally re-photograph individual donors at the time of sampling. Please note that is NOT necessary for all individuals who are giving a sample to all be present together at the same sampling venue at the same time or indeed to be in the same place for sampling. However, at the time of sampling, a child who is under 16 MUST be accompanied by the person with Parental Responsibility, as indicated on the consent form. In some cases, sample donors do not have any identification at all. We must then rely on the relationship with case workers from say Social Services or the solicitor. We will provide documentation for signature to that effect.