FAQ's

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the Infant ‘Identi’fier™:

Question:		I have talked with my doctor about the identification method used to keep my newborn safe after delivery.  He indicated that a security ID band will be attached to my child’s arm or leg and should never come lose until you cut it off.  Is this new product providing any improvement over the band on the arm or leg?
Answer:		Wrist and ankle bands are known to occasionally fall off because the newborn does lose weight after birth while still in the maternity unit.  This is of particular concern for premature infants in neonatal units.  The Infant ‘Identi’fier™ provides a means of positively identifying and confirming the identity of an infant or child even after the wristband is cut off at the time of discharge.  The Infant Identifier is to be taken home by the parents and kept in case a child goes missing after leaving the hospital.
Question:		What does the infant identifier do that the footprint, photograph or wristband will not provide?
Answer:		The dual-ended ‘Identi’fier™ captures the infant’s saliva (DNA and scent) on one end and the mother’s fingerprint on the other. Unfortunately the infant footprints taken at birth are generally useless and unable to properly identify the infant (Journal of Pediatrics) and pictures of newborns often look alike.  By using two completely unique biometric traits - the infant's DNA and the mother’s fingerprint - it will link the mother to the child, eliminating any doubt of parentage even after the wrist bands are cut off at the time of discharge.
Question:		Can't the footprints I received from the hospital provide the identification of my baby in the event it is needed?
Answer:		In recent years the print media, and scientific journals have expressed the opinion that hospitals waste time and money by foot-printing newborns because of its poor reliability (Journal of Pediatrics).  In fact, it is accurate less than 20% of the time.
Question:		Why not just collect the newborn infant blood sample at the time of birth?
Answer:		Collection, storage or analysis of your infants blood are time consuming and costly.  It may also be prone to “mix-up” errors. Additionally, a blood sample will not biometrically link the mother and her newborn infant.  The Infant ‘Identi’fier™ requires no ink products as the mother’s thumbprint is embedded or cast into the thermoplastic material.  It is done under the watchful observation of the mother and given immediately to the mother.  It requires no special storage or systematic filing, further reducing the chance of “mix-up” errors.
Question:		Hospitals worldwide have infant security policies.  Why are additional biometric identification measures needed?
Answer:		Disturbing trends have been reported in the increase of nonfamily infant abductions from non healthcare facilities.  In fact, infant abductions from private homes and public places have actually increased (Am J Nursing 2008).  The Infant ‘Identi’fier™ provides parents the peace of mind knowing that they now have a means of proving (from the DNA) that the newborn that has just been delivered is the child that they will raise as their own.  This will lessen the fear of ‘switched at birth’ scenario.  It is an extra measure of security while in the hospital and a powerful tool for when the infant leaves the hospital.
Question:		The time of birth is a very busy time for the medical staff.  Is it appropriate to ask the nurses find the time in the first four hours to complete this personal infant identification procedure?
Answer:		Not at all.  A three second infant “saliva swipe” and three second mother fingerprint is all it takes to provide a tool to help identify and track an infant, and link the mother-child parentage for your peace of mind and security.
Question:		Do all hospitals provide the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ at the time of birth?
Answer:		Hospitals want the recognition that, as an accredited institution, they are committed to providing an extra measure of safety for the infants delivered in their hospital.  They want to provide parents with an extra measure of security for their new baby.  As hospitals find out about the availability of the Infant Identifier, it is becoming more and more popular.  Ask about it at your hospital.
Question:		Is a record kept of my infant's DNA?
Answer:		The whole infant identification process is done in front of the mother.  The parents are then given the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ in a double sealed plastic security bag, provided in the ‘Identi’fier™ kit, and instructed to keep the bag in a safe place (dark drawer or lock box) with the hopes that it will never need to be used.  No record or database is kept by the hospital or insurance company.  This is your safeguard as a parent, kept private and within your control.
Question:		Do I have to send it to a lab?
Answer:		No.  DNA analysis by any certified testing laboratory would be done only if needed for identification.  Some parents may choose to have the testing done anyway, but the identifier should be keep by the parents to provide the biometric link between the mother and infant.
Question:		How long will the DNA last on the ‘Identi’fier™ thermoplastic swab?
Answer:		The wafer has been tested for both scent tracking capabilities and DNA capture.  It is tested to three years at present, at which time a Toothprint® bite impression can be taken to refresh the scent and DNA.  The practical time frame for DNA reliability from a thermoplastic wafer is 12-20 years and perhaps even longer.
Question:		How does the Infant Identifier help track a missing infant?
Answer:		A thermoplastic wafer has been shown to store sufficient saliva scent for over 4 years.  According to police canine officers, the uncontaminated scent of human saliva, which remains on the Infant ‘Identi’fier™, is the scent article of choice for scent discriminating canines to track a missing infant or child.
Question:		Can the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ be used for adopted infants?
Answer:		Children who are born from egg or sperm donations, or those that find homes through adoption, do not share their parent’s genetic make up.  This situation makes it impossible to extrapolate DNA from the parents to match that to the unidentified infant for positive identification.  The collection of DNA from the infant and the figure print of the parent on the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ makes it an invaluable tool for scientists, and further links the adopted child to the non-biological parent.
Question:		Can I use the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ on my other children?
Answer:		It is recommended that the infant DNA and mothers fingerprints be collected on the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ at the hospital during the first four hours after the baby is born by the nurse or doctor. It can be done later but all the proper documentation should be completed and witnessed. For older children with teeth, a Toothprint® bite impression would be recommended.
Question:		What should the parents do is their infant is missing?
Answer:		Immediately turn the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ over to law enforcement for scent dog tracking.  Do not open the bag; let the authorities handle it.  Remember, it has both scent and DNA.  Do not contaminate the Infant ‘Identi’fier™ by opening the security sealed bag.