A buccal, oral or mouth swab is a very easy to use method of gathering DNA samples. A swab is simply an alternative means of sampling and involves rubbing an applicator with a sterile cotton-wool tip on the inside of the mouth in order to gather cells. Swabs are normally provided in kit for a DNA test. Swabs have many advantages over needles; they are painless, and therefore easy to get a child to do and do not require a doctor or nurse. The results are equally accurate to a blood DNA test. Blood samples can be hazardous to transport whilst buccal swabs are far easier. Swabs can be done at home and one can collect his or her own samples without any doctor or nurse. More about buccal swabs can be found on our Sample Collection guide

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