Police and prosecution, DNA for ID, paternity and passport
On this page, you will find information about various DNA testing and paternity.
DNA Sampling in Paternity Cases
In paternity cases where one or more parties do not voluntarily present themselves to a doctor for sampling, the district court may request the police to arrest and present them for sampling (from the oral cavity - or a blood sample taken by healthcare personnel if specifically requested by the court). The police can requisition sampling equipment from OUS (rettsgenetikk@ous-hf.no) if the court has not included this in its request. The police are responsible for sampling, identity verification, and sending the sample along with the relevant documents directly to Oslo University Hospital. See below regarding the dispatch of samples.
DNA Sampling of References in ID and Missing Persons Cases
When sampling reference persons in ID and missing persons cases, the police's sampling kit for personal samples for DNA analysis is used. Be sure to specify the reference person's relationship to the missing person on the form. Also indicate whether the missing person is a man or woman on the form, for example: "son of missing woman". The sample and accompanying documents are sent to the Section for Forensic Genetics – Kinship and Identity. NOTE! For reference samples of relatives in an ongoing ID case/DVI situation, it is important that the samples are forwarded to OUS as soon as they are secured. The procedure for securing personal samples in criminal cases and sending them via regular post is an unfortunate method that can delay ID work by several days. This must be avoided. Part 1 of the sampling form is retained by the sampler for their own records. See below regarding the dispatch of samples.
DNA Sampling in Cases of Issuing Personal Numbers for Children Born Abroad
The National Registry/Tax Administration has created a guide for the allocation of Norwegian personal numbers for children born abroad. Personal Number for Obtaining a Passport – Tax Administration. By using this, it will be explained for children born in so-called group 2 countries that the applicant/guardians must order a maternity test from OUS to document the child's affiliation to the mother before they book an appointment at a Norwegian foreign mission for sampling. If the child is born abroad and the mother or child is in Norway, sampling can take place at the Passport and ID Office at the police station. The applicant receives a test number/reference number via email, which is provided to the police when booking an appointment for sampling. The test and equipment are fully paid for by the applicant, and this is followed up by OUS. The test results are sent to the National Registry once payment has been received.
DNA Sampling in Cases of Passport Renewal
Regarding DNA samples taken based on the Police Directorate's guidelines on DNA testing in passport cases, sampling should occur at the passport authority abroad or in Norway.
The police can requisition sampling equipment from OUS if necessary (rettsgenetikk@ous-hf.no).
Dispatch of Samples
To ensure that valuable samples arrive as quickly as possible, even without the use of internal couriers, we will provide some recommendations regarding dispatch;
Dispatch in cases that do not require urgency:
Dispatches to our PO box address are inefficient, but the sample will arrive at the correct location. We do not recommend sending samples by registered post, but if you feel it is necessary to use registered delivery, always use the PO box address (OUS's internal courier is authorised to collect such dispatches). However – if you use a street address in combination with registered delivery, it can go very wrong – the sample may end up in a post-in-shop and we will never hear about it.
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
Avoid registered delivery unless you believe it is absolutely necessary.
Dispatch in Priority Cases that Require Urgency
If it concerns an ongoing ID case or other kinship/ID cases with a certain degree of urgency, send the sample express with door-to-door delivery to the section's street address. Remember to provide the mobile number 99275991 – this way we will be notified that a dispatch is on its way. This applies to both samples of the deceased (PM) and personal samples (AM) in an ongoing ID case.
Note! The street address must be used when the sample is sent express with the Post Office or another courier service for door delivery. The section has a locked mailbox at the street address where samples can be delivered outside of our opening hours Monday to Friday: 09.00–15.00.
See also information on KO:DE
Delivery Address for Urgent Cases
Oslo University Hospital HF
Department of Forensic Medicine
Section for Forensic Genetics - Kinship and Identity
Gaustadalleén 30, Entrance B
NO 0373 Oslo
Provide the following telephone number in the dispatch: +47 992 75 991.
See an example of completing a dispatch with the Post Office's express next day service
The street address is only used for express delivery with door delivery.
If you are unsure how to send the sample, contact us by phone at 23 01 31 50 (telephone hours 09.00–11.30 and 12.30–15.00) or email IDogSaknet@ous-hf.no or rettsgenetikk@ous-hf.no.