Regarding the message below about using cotton swabs and sealing in a plastic bag. An autosomal match of mine did that with her father and later tried to submit it to FTDNA. She was told that putting it in a plastic bag contaminated it and it would not be usable. Does anyone else have information regarding saving DNA samples? Jane ------ Message: 7 Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2013 12:51:42 -0700 From: "Allen" <KE7IQQ@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [AUTOSOMAL-DNA] DNA test lab profile To: <autosomal-dna@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <084A47438B8B4975A9948409C452252E@catal64a> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Tim, Mary; I have ordered additional testing over a year after the first test and Ancestry was able to do the test from the origional sample so they do save it, or the Sorensone lab they use saved it. I know I asked about that when I did the first test and think it is the lab that has the sample. Like the samples at the other labs you can run out so the ability to send a additional Sample is useful for older people. Also When a person passes the next of kin or executor can ask that a sample be taken and some labs can use the cheek swabs even if they are just taken with standard cotten swabs and a sent in a plastic bag, as long as the person has not specifically refused to have a DNA test during their lifetime. I did not see the ability to name a person as Benificiary of your test mentioned. This is something you may want to do. I believe at least two of the labs let you do this. I would also mention that you can make up for some areas that a lab does not provide by using GEDMatch.com to add functionallity. The ability to transfer tests from one lab to another can be a useful thing as a person becomes more experianced with the use of DNA testing. Allen