Step 1: Clean Your Hands
Proper handwashing makes all the difference. Use soap and warm water, scrubbing thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Rinse thoroughly. To get the blood flowing, continue running warm water on the hand you’re collecting the sample from for at least 3 minutes.
Make sure you turn the water off with your elbow, without touching the faucet with your hands. The faucet may have male DNA on it.
Let your hands air dry or use a fresh paper towel — no shared cloth towels, please! The cleaner the hands, the better the sample.
Step 2: Open and Organize the Kit
Start by unpacking all items and placing them on the sanitized surface. The kit includes:
- Alcohol prep pad
- Bandage
- Collection device (either Lancet or Click device)
- Collection Tube
- Return envelope and instructions
Step 3: Prepare the Kit Items
Tap the bottom of the collection tube 3 times to settle the preservative liquid. Do not remove the liquid from the tube.
Step 4 (Lancet Kit): Take the Test
Follow these instructions carefully if you’re using the Lancet Kit to collect blood from your finger:
- Place your tube in the provided stand (either as part of an interior box, or the inside of the box, depending on the kit purchased)
- Rotate your arm in a circle 5 times to promote blood circulation. Then close and open your fist 10 times.
- Choose your ring finger or middle finger. Clean it with the alcohol wipe and let it dry. Aim between the side and center of your finger. Press the red lancet firmly against your finger until it clicks.
- Let the first drop of blood fall on the counter. Let the remaining drops fall into the tube along the scoop side.
- Keep your hand and arm in a downward position until collection is complete.
- Massage your finger downward toward the tip and continue collecting the blood drops in the tube until the 500 line on the tube is reached.
- Apply pressure to the tip of your finger with the alcohol wipe. Apply a bandage.
Step 4 (Click Kit) Take the Test
Follow these instructions if you’re using the Click Kit to take the blood from your arm.
- Stand upright and keep your arm relaxed. Good posture helps encourage natural blood flow, making it easier for your body to circulate blood. Staying vertical also lets gravity do a bit of the work, helping the sample collect more efficiently.
- Clean your upper arm with the alcohol wipe and allow to dry fully so that the Click device can stick to your arm.
- Remove the red cap from the collection tube and insert the tube in the Click device with the fill lines facing outwards (same direction as the big red button).
- Remove the clear cap from the red button on the Click device, then remove the white backing from the other side.
- Press the button all the way down until you hear a click, for approximately one second, then release. If you need assistance, please ensure your helper is female.
- The sample tube will start to fill with blood. It may take 1-2 minutes or more before blood begins filling the tube; this is completely normal. Collect until you reach the “500” line. Total collection should take around 5 minutes, but if the “500” line is not reached by 10 minutes, go ahead and remove the device by gently peeling it away from one side.
- Carefully remove the collection tube from the Click device.
Preparing the Sample for Shipment
You’re almost finished! Just take these last few steps:
- Snap the red cap back on the collection tube and tap it lid-side down on the counter a few times.
- Mix the blood with the preservative by gently turning it upside down 10 times. Do NOT shake the tube. Please note that the preservative does NOT need to mix fully with the blood.
- Place the tube into the protective plastic bag and seal it.
- If you haven’t registered yet, do so before proceeding.
- Put the bag in the Peekaboo box they came in. Put the white box into the mailer and seal it up.
- Remember to snap a photo of the mailing label for tracking purposes!
- Drop the mailer off at the correct facility.