What is a batch?

[mihun]

I don't really know how to imagine this batch thing. Do they use the whole specimen I sent them or they cut a small bit of it? I have tests in 4 different batches, and wonder if this may be the cause of the relative delay of my test results, meaning tha they cannot start testing my FF in batch 449 because they haven't finished my Y-tests in batch 447 and mtdna in batch 448?

[Táltos]

I don't really know how to imagine this batch thing. Do they use the whole specimen I sent them or they cut a small bit of it? I have tests in 4 different batches, and wonder if this may be the cause of the relative delay of my test results, meaning tha they cannot start testing my FF in batch 449 because they haven't finished my Y-tests in batch 447 and mtdna in batch 448?

Great question!! I was wondering how it worked too. I thought once they put your sample in a batch it went right to the lab, but I think I was wrong. If I understand it does it mean that you are placed in a batch and it is not even sent out to the lab until "the batch" is full? Please if anyone can clarify this, and mihun's excellent questions. Thanks!

[k.o.gran]

Each Wednesday, FTDNA takes all orders from the previous week from existing customers and all orders from new customers where the kit was received the previous week and put them in a batch. The different tests are then given a predicted lab date and a batch number.

[mihun]

Each Wednesday, FTDNA takes all orders from the previous week from existing customers and all orders from new customers where the kit was received the previous week and put them in a batch. The different tests are then given a predicted lab date and a batch number.

I understand that part, but thanks anyway. But I still don't understand what is in the batch? My whole specimen or just a bit of it? Considering that I sent back 2 specimens in 2 tubes, can my staff be in 4 different batches at the same time?

[JPHutchins]

K. O. Gran explained what a "Batch" is. You are asking a totally different question that probably cannot be answered in this forum. You are asking how the lab technicians divide up your "Sample" and allot portions of it to the various tests. For such an answer you would need to talk to a lab technician.

Perhaps someone like Matt or Ann would have that information, but the specific knowledge is probably beyond those of us that use this forum.