Have you ever asked yourself how long it takes to solve the mysteries in your DNA? Every day, thousands of people send their DNA to facilities offering ancestry services for testing, and all of them are interested in one thing: the day they get the results. Receiving your ancestry DNA report is the same as waiting for a very important letter in the mail. You can see it has arrived, but it takes forever to get here! The best part is that most people receive their outcomes within days. However, there is more to learn about this fascinating process of discovering your roots. As a DNA analyst, I think it’s time to learn about ancestry DNA testing. timelines, so you can form a proper expectation and perhaps even watch the process go more quickly!
How long does it take to get Ancestry Results?
The short explanation is that most ancestry DNA tests typically take 6 to 8 weeks, on average, from the day you return your sample to the laboratory. However, the timelines in various DNA testing facilities vary slightly. Some offer results in 3 to 5 days.
So why are there differences? It varies with the number of samples each facility receives, the size of its labs, and how the tests are handled. It’s all about what you’re seeking. The best DNA test for ancestry would depend on what you are seeking to find. Some individuals desire quicker results, while others require a more detailed history of their roots.
What is the Procedure for Ancestry Test Results?
Here are the stages your DNA sample undergoes after you submit it.
- Step 1: The Sample falls into the lab
Your sample will be entered into the lab’s system. They assign it a special number to trace.
- Step 2: Preparation of the sample
Your saliva contains your DNA, which lab workers extract. At this step, they need to be highly careful and accurate.
- Step 3: processing of DNA
It is here that the magic is done! Your DNA is read by special machines that scan it to identify specific markers, providing information about your ancestry.
- Step 4: Analysis of data
Computers compare your DNA with databases of citizens from around the world. This will help determine the ancestry of your roots.
- Step 5: Preparation of results
The lab compiles your results in a very readable format that includes maps, percentages, and possibly even relatives.
Considering current rental income statistics for a typical house in residential areas in the United States, and assuming the customer will be willing to pay the expected average rate, you will receive your results.
What are the factors that can delay the Process?
Some things might cause your DNA test to take much longer than anticipated:
- Sample quality problems: What happens if your sample of saliva does not contain sufficient DNA and is contaminated, or the laboratory may require you to submit a new sample? This adds a few more weeks to the process.
- Lab issues: There are issues with laboratory equipment or backup. It is uncommon, yet it occurs.
- Shipping times: In the event of adverse weather or postal delays, please note that your sample may take longer to reach the lab.
The issue of high demand: If a facility becomes popular all at once, it may have too many samples to process quickly. The positive aspect is that most facilities will inform you of any delays and provide you with updated schedules.
Is It Possible to Achieve Results Quickly?
This is where it becomes a little complicated. Ancestry DNA tests from most labs do not offer a rush option, unlike other forms of DNA testing. But here are some measures that will ensure you do not experience delays:
- The time: Consider sending your sample during a slower time, such as late summer or early fall, when fewer people are placing orders.
- Read the instructions carefully: This is important because you need to produce saliva while ensuring you do not eat or drink anything during the 30 minutes prior to spitting into the tube.
- Proper shipping: Send your sample back as quickly as possible in the envelope they provide, which is prepaid.
Whereas most ancestry labs do not offer faster services, professional DNA testing facilities provide quicker turnaround times for other types of genetic testing. These services specialise in doing things fast and correctly, where time is of the essence.
Is the Ancestry DNA accurate?
One of the questions people wonder is, Is ancestry DNA accurate? And what a good question it is! The brief response is: yes, in the most part, yet there is still much to learn.
It also relies upon its precision:
- What is the number of those who tested in your ethnicity?
- The amount that the lab knows about various populations
- The way they analyse the genetic markers
The average ancestry DNA test has a 99% accuracy rate for major ethnic backgrounds; however, when measuring regional breakdowns, this rate decreases.
Find Your Genetic Roots with Our Ancestry Testing Service
- Accredited Lab
- Accurate & Quick Results
- Private and Secure
- Affordable
Conclusion
Millions of years have passed, and your DNA has been longing to tell its story – a few more weeks will not do any harm! Take advantage of this time to begin researching your family tree or to persuade other relatives to take the test as well. The greater the number of family members you can test, the more complete your genetic profile becomes.
You may be interested in your heritage, as I am searching for long-lost family members. Individuals with legal or medical reasons to use professionally conducted DNA tests, as well as those with significant intentions, can find the services of labs such as Choice DNA to be accurate, dependable, and supervised by a qualified adult. Such services will ensure that the genetic information on your end is managed with the highest levels of precision and safety.
