AABB accreditation is the standard that separates a rigorously validated relationship-testing laboratory from one that isn’t. It governs the science behind your result — not the company that collects your sample. Here’s what the accreditation actually requires, and why it matters for the accuracy of your result.
Key takeaways
- AABB accreditation applies to the laboratory that analyzes DNA samples, not to collection companies.
- It requires blind duplicate testing, a minimum number of genetic markers, and documented chain of custody.
- Odosek is not itself AABB-accredited — every sample we collect is sent to an independent AABB-accredited laboratory for analysis.
- AABB accreditation is specific to relationship/DNA testing — it’s a different credential than the SAMHSA certification that governs workplace drug testing labs.
- Odosek’s own credentials are BBB A+ and HIPAA compliant.
What is AABB accreditation?
AABB (originally the American Association of Blood Banks, now known simply as AABB) is the accrediting body that sets the technical standards for relationship (parentage/kinship) DNA testing laboratories in the United States. A lab must pass a rigorous, recurring inspection process to earn and keep AABB accreditation — it isn’t a one-time badge.
What AABB accreditation actually requires
| Requirement | What it means for your result |
|---|---|
| Blind duplicate testing | A second analyst, unaware of the first result, re-tests the same sample independently to confirm it |
| Minimum genetic marker panel | Enough STR markers analyzed to reach the statistical confidence required for a legal-grade result |
| Documented chain of custody | Every hand-off of the sample is logged, which is what makes a result usable in court |
| Proficiency testing | The lab is regularly tested with known samples to verify its equipment and staff perform correctly |
| Recurring inspection | Accreditation must be renewed — it isn’t permanent once granted |
Why this matters for accuracy
Blind duplicate testing is the single biggest accuracy safeguard: it means an error by one analyst is very unlikely to make it into your final report, because a second analyst independently reaches the same conclusion without seeing the first result. Combined with a minimum marker panel and regular proficiency checks, AABB accreditation is what turns “a lab ran your DNA” into a result that courts, immigration authorities, and other institutions can rely on.
Odosek’s role vs. the laboratory’s role
Odosek collects your sample — a trained, neutral collector, documented chain of custody, secure packaging and shipping. The DNA analysis itself happens at an independent AABB-accredited laboratory. We are correctly described as sending samples to be processed at an AABB-accredited lab, not as being AABB-accredited ourselves. That distinction matters because accreditation applies specifically to laboratory analysis, and it’s the honest way to describe how the two roles fit together.
AABB vs. SAMHSA: two different credentials
These two accreditations are easy to confuse but apply to completely different services. AABB accreditation is the standard for relationship/paternity DNA testing labs. SAMHSA certification is the federal standard for workplace and DOT drug-testing laboratories, and applies to Odosek’s employment drug testing services, not our DNA relationship tests. If you’re comparing credentials across services, make sure you’re matching the right accreditation to the right test.
“AABB accredited lab near me” — why location doesn’t matter the way you’d think
Unlike a doctor’s office, the accredited laboratory itself doesn’t need to be near you — samples are shipped securely under chain of custody, and the same accredited lab standard applies no matter where in South Carolina, Georgia, or Maryland your sample was collected. What is local is the collection: a mobile collector comes to your home, office, or attorney’s office, 24/7 by appointment, so you never have to travel to a facility yourself.
How to verify a lab’s accreditation
AABB maintains a public, searchable list of accredited relationship-testing laboratories on its own website. If accreditation matters for your case — court, immigration, or inheritance — it’s reasonable to ask which specific lab will process your sample and confirm its current accreditation status directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Odosek AABB-accredited?
Odosek is not itself an accreditation body. Every sample we collect is processed at an independent, AABB-accredited laboratory. Odosek’s own credentials are BBB A+ and HIPAA compliant.
Why does AABB accreditation matter for a legal DNA test?
Courts and other institutions rely on AABB accreditation because it requires blind duplicate testing, documented chain of custody, and regular proficiency checks — the combination that makes a result defensible.
Is AABB the same as SAMHSA?
No. AABB accredits relationship/DNA testing labs; SAMHSA certifies workplace drug-testing labs. They are different credentials for different services.
Does the lab need to be located near me?
No. Samples are shipped securely under chain of custody to the accredited lab; what’s local is the mobile collection itself.
How can I verify a lab’s accreditation?
AABB publishes a searchable directory of accredited relationship-testing laboratories on its own website.
Schedule your DNA test collection
Mobile collection across South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland — samples processed at an AABB-accredited laboratory, 24/7 by appointment.
Odosek Mobile DNA & Drug Testing
Mobile collection at your home, office, hospital or attorney’s office — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Columbia & the Midlands
Metro Atlanta & northeast GA
Baltimore & surrounding counties
Family law collections with court-ready documentation
