Healthcare professionals, chimerism investigation and paternity test
We routinely measure chimerism levels in bone marrow transplant patients across the entire country.
Investigation of Chimerism Levels in Bone Marrow Transplanted Patients
The section routinely measures chimerism levels in bone marrow transplanted patients. This function is nationwide. Samples from both donor and recipient are taken prior to transplantation, along with control samples from the patient following a set procedure. Chimerism level checks are performed on blood samples, fractionated cell populations (T-cells and monocytes/granulocytes), or samples from bone marrow. If analysis of fractionated cell populations is desired, the sample should be received at OUS within two (a maximum of five) days from the date of sampling.
Preparation for venous sampling and venous sampling follows the health trusts' own procedures.
- Form: Reference Sample Before Bone Marrow Transplantation (PDF)
- Form: Control Chimerism Status (PDF)
Completed forms should be sent along with the EDTA blood sample to the address below. When sending control blood samples with separation of cell populations, the sample should be sent via "express overnight delivery to the door" to the street address.
The sender is responsible for ensuring that samples are packaged in accordance with applicable regulations.
PO Box Address
Oslo University Hospital HF
Department of Forensic Medicine
Section for Forensic Genetics – Kinship and Identity
PO Box 4950 Nydalen
NO 0424 Oslo
Street Address for "Express Overnight Delivery to the Door"
Oslo University Hospital HF
Department of Forensic Medicine
Section for Forensic Genetics – Kinship and Identity
Gaustadalléen 30, Entrance B
0373 Oslo
Please provide telephone number 23013150 in the shipment.
Sampling in Paternity Cases and Other Kinship Matters
In paternity cases and other kinship matters mandated by NAV or the court, samples must be taken at a doctor’s office/health institution. The parties arrange the sampling themselves and bring documents from NAV or the court. Additionally, the parties receive equipment for oral sampling, which must be brought to the doctor's office unopened. (If the parties wish to have blood samples taken, 2-3 ml of EDTA blood should be used). Unfortunately, there have been attempts at fraud using borrowed identification or bringing a different child than the one involved in the case for sampling. If the doctor's office does not know the patient, be diligent in assessing identity and the child's age.
NB! In a standard paternity case, both the alleged father, mother, and child are required to provide samples. Even if maternity is not disputed, the mother is required to provide a sample, partly to confirm the child's identity and partly to strengthen the evidential weight in the case. NAV or the court may be billed for the sampling according to the established fee (lovdata.no).
If the parties order a paternity test/kinship test on their own initiative and for their own information (regarding biological relationships), the test will be at the parties' own expense. Oral sampling can be performed by the parties themselves or they may request assistance for sampling from their general practitioner. Private tests where the sampling is not properly documented will generally not be given weight when presented to a public authority.
Samples taken at a doctor's office/health institution should not be handed over to the parties but sent by the sampler. Forms brought from NAV or the court must be filled out and signed by the person providing the sample and by the sampler. It should be noted on the form which parties have attended the doctor. The doctor's/doctor's office's stamp is required so that OUS or NAV/court can contact the relevant person if there are any questions regarding the sampling.
The sampler sends the completed forms along with the samples to the address below.
PO Box Address
Oslo University Hospital HF
Department of Forensic Medicine
Section for Forensic Genetics – Kinship and Identity
PO Box 4950 Nydalen
NO 0424 Oslo