Service Overview
		Pricing
		Paternity Sample Collection Locations
		Information for Lawyers
		Information for Government Agencies and Departments
		Confidentiality / Privacy

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INFORMATION FOR LAWYERS

For over a decade, legal professionals throughout Canada have trusted Maxxam to service their clients DNA testing needs.  Whether it is for paternity testing, immigration testing or forensics, Maxxam takes care to ensure that complete confidentiality is ensured every step of the way while at the same providing a convenient and quick service.  Some key features of our service include:

CHAIN OF CUSTODY

For each client that requires a DNA paternity test for legal purposes, strict Chain of Custody procedures are followed for each and every DNA paternity test sample collection.  These include:

• DNA paternity sample collection at one of Maxxam’s trained collection sites, or by mobile collectors.
• Valid government issued photo identification is required for all clients over the age of 18.  Clients under the age of 18 require valid government issued identification (with or without photo).
• Photograph taken at the time of the appointment, a recent photo to be submitted that will remain with the ‘Chain of Custody’ documentation.    
• Fingerprint.

CONVENIENCE

Maxxam is an accredited (SCC) Canadian DNA testing company that has been providing DNA paternity testing services for over 10 years to the legal community. Over these years we have grown our network of DNA sample collection sites throughout Canada to over 400.  For a listing of our most commonly serviced areas that have DNA specimen collection sites ready to accept appointments please refer to DNA Sample Collection Locations/Mobile Sample Collection.

Within 24 hours of receipt for a DNA paternity test request, an experienced Customer Service Agent will commence appointment arrangements for all parties submitting DNA samples. 

TURNAROUND TIME (TAT)

Once collected, paternity test samples will be shipped via overnight courier from the point of collection to our DNA laboratory located in Guelph, Ontario.   Upon receipt, all packages received will be inspected to ensure that there is NO evidence of specimen tampering.  If there is any question regarding the integrity of packaging containing DNA samples, Maxxam will request a re-collection of the affected sample(s).

Once all DNA paternity test samples are received and logged in, DNA paternity analysis will proceed. 

Results will be complete within 5 business days, and copies of the final DNA paternity test reports will be forwarded to all individuals listed at the onset of testing to receive a copy.  Copies of DNA paternity test reports will be faxed to all legal representatives, with originals to follow via mail.  

CONFIDENTIALITY/PRIVACY

As with other areas of clinical medicine or science, confidentiality is important in genetic testing. If anything, the confidentiality of genetic information may need to be guarded even more stringently than in the ordinary case. 
On January 1, 2004, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) came fully into effect.  PIPEDA sets policy on how private Canadian businesses (with the exception of Provinces that have their own similar Privacy Law, i.e. Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec as it pertains to the collection, use and/or disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities.   

In response to PIPEDA, Canadian Forensic Laboratories such as the RCMP and Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) adopted policies whereby DNA profiles were no longer included with forensic reports.  This is because they felt that inclusion contravened a persons right to protect their “genetic information”.  Maxxam also followed suit, and removed profiles from both forensic and paternity reports so that we maintained one, consistent policy on the issue.
It is important to note that if one is performing DNA paternity testing with a DNA laboratory located outside of Canada, Provincial (AB, BC, QC) and Federal (PIPEDA) legislation will not protect a clients personal information and this information could be subject to release to foreign governments without the client’s consent or knowledge.  For a summary of laboratories located within Canada and the U.S. please click DNA paternity test suppliers.

APPOINTMENTS/PAYMENTS

To arrange for a paternity testing appointment on behalf of your client(s):

• Complete a Legal DNA Paternity Test Requisition form (Hitesh, insert Legal Paternity Requisition) and forward it back to our office via E-mail, fax or mail
• E-mail:                 dnainfo@maxxamanalytics.com
• Toll free fax:         1-866-675-2400
• Mailing address:   
  Maxxam Analytics – 335 Laird Rd. Unit #2. Guelph, ON. N1H 6J3 CANADA

or

• Call our office directly to provide us with details as it pertains to all clients being tested and the distribution of results.
• Toll free phone:     1-877-706-7678     

Payment options for DNA paternity testing include:

• Funds held in trust with legal counsel – please provide written confirmation (on company letterhead) detailing the amount of funds held and on behalf of whom.  You will be invoiced upon receipt of all DNA paternity test samples.
• Credit card payment (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX).
• Money order or certified cheque payable to Maxxam Analytics.

LEGAL AID CLIENTS, PLEASE REFER TO SECTION INFORMATION FOR GOVERNMENT AGENGIES AND DEPARTMENTS