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    Every day, total strangers send Caroline Caskey semen-stained underwear in the mail. As the CEO and founder of Identigene, a Houston-based company that specializes in human identity testing, her job is to provide smoking-gun evidence for people who believe their lover is cheating on them. She uses the same DNA-sequencing techniques employed by criminal prosecutors; Access to her craft, still fairly exclusive in the Clinton era, is now available to anyone with $400 and enough bravado to actually have it done. "I bet a lot of people would get some resolution on their concerns and suspicions if they knew this testing was available," she says. — Kate Sullivan

    What's the process when you receive an article in the mail to be tested?
    We'll usually do a semen detection test first, then a DNA test. That's just to try and save the client money. The semen detection is less expensive, and if it comes out negative, and you believe that semen has to be present in order for the infidelity to have occurred, then there's no point in going into the DNA.

    Say you did find semen in my wife's underwear, and I'm pretty sure it's not mine. Do I provide you with my DNA to check that against?
    That's right. A lot of people ask, "Do I need to submit a semen sample?" You don't. We just take a simple cheek swab from the person's mouth and compare it to the DNA profile from the semen on the garment. If the two samples match, we know it came from the husband. If they don't match, then it didn't.

    Could I provide you with the DNA of a suspect?
    You could, but unless they're cooperative and willing to have their sample collected, most likely that would be a surreptiously collected sample and not legally binding.

    So this technology is the same technology that's used to catch criminals. How long has it been used to catch cheaters?
    We started doing it seven or eight years ago, and I think we were among the first. I don't think it's that common, and it's still not that common for us. We do a fair number of cases, but it doesn't compare to, say, paternity testing or forensic tests.

    What's a "fair number" of cases?
    Oh, just hundreds per month, something like that. Not thousands. I think the reason is because most people don't know it's available.

    Of the tests that you do, what percentage of them would you say show semen-positive results?
    The majority don't. I don't know the exact percentage, but I want to say maybe seventy percent [test negative]. And I don't know if that's testament to there being more suspicious minds than there are people being unfaithful, or if just means that [clients are] choosing the wrong garments.

    How long is a semen sample testable?
    Indefinitely, really, as long as it hasn't been exposed to the elements — rain, heat, mildew or something like that. It's a pretty resilient type of sample to test. You can test something that's years old even.

    You're not testing for lady liquids, right? Just semen?
    No, that's actually not true. If a woman thinks a man has been unfaithful, she can take his underwear and we can test the crotch area for what we call epithelial cells, which is basically a skin cell. And if we do a DNA test and find a female profile from those epithelial cells, we can compare it to the wife's.

    Who are your clients? Is it more men than women?
    We certainly have more men coming to us than women, though we have a fair number of female clients as well.

    When you give clients positive results, do you include any advice on how to discuss those with their partner?
    That's not really our expertise. We do have case managers who will sometimes advise them to see a counselor if they seem to be distraught. But most of the clients, by the time they come to us, they're clearly ready to take action if their suspicions are founded. They've gone through the emotions already.

    Has anyone from your staff ever had to testify in a divorce proceding?
    They've been subpoenaed, but I don't think it ever actually got that far. But the results can be used during divorce hearings in certain states. Infidelity usually doesn't have much of a bearing in a divorce case because it's not illegal, but in some states it will affect the outcome of the settlement. For example, in the state of Georgia, there's a law that says if infidelity is proven, it impacts how the assets are divided. And I know we did have a case where we proved that the wife had been unfaithful and it had a material effect on the outcome of that divorce.

    Do you get a lot of repeat clients?
    We certainly have had repeat customers who got a negative result the first time and they just don't believe it, so they'll test item after item. Someone who really believes that their partner is cheating on them will test multiple items in an effort to prove that.

    You charge $400 for the first item you test and $150 for each item after that. What's the highest infidelity test bill anyone has ever logged with you?
    I remember one case where the person just kept testing and testing and testing, and we ended up suggesting that they stop. It was a consistently negative result and we finally told this person, "We don't feel like we're providing you any information that's helpful, and we recommend that you stop submitting things." It was probably a few thousand dollars.

    What's the most common item that you test?
    Certainly clothing, mostly underpants. But we've tested lots of other things too, like bed sheets. I do remember one infidelity case where we tested Ziploc baggies.

    Why baggies?
    They were being used as a condom or something like that. That was very unusual.

    Why is a lab test better than a home testing kit like CheckMate?
    I don't know the technology behind the CheckMate kit, but most home tests involve a spray and a chemical reaction wherein something is supposed to fluoresce. And it's not as conclusive or as scientifically acceptable as the process we use, which is court admissible for rape cases.

    A home-use test I read about advocated using the test on teens to assure their abstinence. Do you think a test is a less confrontational way of finding out if your son or daughter is sexually active?
    I think that's something between a parent and their child.

    Would Identigene accept a case like that?
    We don't always find out what the scenario is. We're just testing Sample A against Sample B, and we would provide a result. So we don't always know who we're testing.

    If a friend came to you with suspicions that her husband was cheating, at what point would you suggest that she try an infidelity test?
    Gosh, I don't know. I've never been put in that situation. The truth is that I do believe that having a suspicion and not knowing can drive a person nuts, and it's sometimes preferable to just get answers, to get the truth. Then you can put that behind you, whatever that truth is. I've thought about this a lot more in regards to paternity testing, where someone is questioning the paternity of a child. But even for someone who is suspicious of a spouse, I do think there's a point at which a person can get so wrapped up in their own doubts and confusion and anger about a situation and they don't even know what's true or not. Then they should seek the truth however they can get it.

    To learn more about Identigene's infidelity testing, visit their website.

    Commentarium (55 Comments)

    Aug 08 06 - 7:35am
    JCF

    This was a very interesting article, thanks. I was surprised you didn't list contact info, but I'm pretty sure I could find them if I needed to. I have my doubts about the epithelial testing being reliable, though. What if the guy says he just shook hands with a woman, and then went to the restroom, and gosh darn it, some of those epithelials got in there?

    Aug 09 06 - 4:42pm
    mh

    this is a terrific article...i'm gonna keep it mind for when i marry me a rich-ass man.

    Sep 01 06 - 8:51am
    BH

    Like most other copycat websites, Identigene has a real problem with the truth.

    Identigene has only been performing these tests for the last three years after partnering with the CheckMate company in 2003. The claim on the website that they have been performing these test since 1997 is also simply untrue.

    In the interview ms. Caskey also claims she has no idea how CheckMate works when in fact she not only knows exactly how it works, we have also included a $25.00 discount coupon in our package provided by Identigene for the last 3 years.

    CheckMate is not a spray and it does no fluoresce as ms. Caskey claims, and she knows this full well. She lied. Period. The patented CheckMate product is a biological test that actually reacts to the semen itself and is the only product if its kind in the world today.

    The real truth is CheckMate created this entire industry and was the first company on Earth to offer these services. Identigene did not create this industry, they have not been performing these tests as long as they claim, and basically every word of the interview is untrue.

    Because of this I ask that you remove the misleading interview and info from your website immediately

    Thank you
    Brad Holmes
    CheckMate

    Have a nice day!

    Sep 02 06 - 8:23pm
    S

    That Brad Holmnes from checkmate is a weasel. His test looks for acid phosphatase, which is in male and female body fluids. Its an old test formula from the 50s and he managed to repackage it. he claims its 100% accurate but acid phosphatase is in male and female fluids like blood, urine, saliva, etc.

    There are several better and cheaper acid phosphatase tests online (search google for semen test) and more conclusive home tests than Checkmate.

    In fact, checkmate used to sell a PS30 test to confirm the presumptive results of their own tests. PS30 tests look for a prostate secretion found only in men. That secretion can be found in small amunts in other male fluids so its not entirely accurate either, but close. You can get the PS30 tests from https://www.dnatestingcentre.com

    DNA tests are the only way to go if the outcome is important.

    Sep 05 06 - 10:44am
    DH

    The feedback below from is from a lowlife cockroach in New Jersey named David Hurlburt. Mr. Hurlburt is a known pathological liar who makes up false claims about CheckMate because the CheckMate company had his deceptive website removed from the internet

    CheckMate actually re branded 5000 CheckMate test kits for this fool and then he went on Oprah and Maury Povich and not only claimed he created the product, Mr. Hurlburt also claimed he owned the patent. Believe it friends, the guy is a known liar and internet con artist.

    And by the way. The U.S. patent office does not issue patents on existing technology friends. CheckMate is a new product that never existed before and all of Mr. iamasnakemaster @gmail.com's assertion below are untrue.

    If CheckMate doesn't work why would we take the time and massive expense to have it patented?

    If CheckMate didn't work why would we offer a 100% money back guarantee?

    And if CheckMate didn't work why have people been constantly calling and writing us for over 5 years saying how amazing CheckMate is and how well it works?

    Read the CheckMate story at: https://www.whatsreallygoingon.com

    Sep 07 06 - 12:37pm
    ST

    The guy from checkmate sells so few test kits he has plenty of time to post nasty things here and on his own website. He also seems to have time to view this page repeatedly.

    Dec 21 06 - 11:55am
    wbm

    Why on earth would I waste time for CheckMate when I can be absolutely confirmed with DNA? It's cheaper than DNA testing? That's cuz you get what you pay for. CheckMate - owned & operated by a whiny bitch.

    Mar 12 09 - 11:19pm
    AM

    I contacted Brad Holmes on one occassion for information on his "AMAZING" product. The man was obviously drunk and compared the Checkmate kit to a pregnancy test. I hung up with him and ordered from a different company whom I was very satisfied with. Thank you for this website!!!!!!

    Mar 25 09 - 12:19pm
    BH

    My name is Brad Holmes. I'm the owner of the CheckMate company. I have been being stalked and victimized by a guy in Euless Texas name Steve Calvert for what is now nearly 10 long years going all the way up to Mr. Calvert attempting to convince consumers that I was a gosh darn sex offender. Mr. Calvert is actuallly the person who fabricated all of the untrue negative feedback listed on this page and for a full explaination of everything he's done I urge readers to read his story at the following link.

    https://semen-sperm-detection.com/index.html

    Apr 04 09 - 7:28am
    RA

    Checkmate sucks as bad as the half owner Brad Holmes. No intelligent purchaser would buy the acid Acid Phosphatase presumptive checkmate kit if they spent 5 minutes researching websites that are actually professional. Hell, Brad is so vain he dedicates a section of his website in posting his own clown picture. https://getcheckmate.com/bh.ht.jpg and has a dedicated website bashing all the companies that provide accurate testing. He calls and threatens anyone who competes against his crap product. Nowhere on his website does he mention that his test does not test for semen but Acid Phosphatase. He will tell you that it is 100% accurate that couldn

    Apr 10 09 - 10:58am
    BH

    Friends, the unrestricted nature of the Internet allows people like this Steve Calvert person to fabricate and publish literally anything regardless of whether or not it's true. Mr. Calvert even tried to convince people that I was a sex offender for gods sake and the guy has been using his website and now this website to engage in a nearly decade long campaign of terror and harassment. Not only is the guy pretending to be a scientist on his website, he has no credentials of any kind whatsoever and the simple fact is the CheckMate company is selling a world renowned product that people love and we've never done a darn thing wrong to anyone ever. And, if CheckMate didn

    Apr 11 09 - 9:55am
    MH

    Brad, does everyone visualize duct tape over your mouth so early into the conversation? You are the internet clown of all times. Your checkmate product is the scam of the century and if the FDA was involved your product would be banned. Detects semen and everything else too! LOL

    Apr 11 09 - 12:17pm
    BH

    Yes, thousands sold, hundreds of retailers and websites around the world selling CheckMate for nearly a decade, no complaints or returns ever, hundreds and hundreds of testimonials from satisfied customers everywhere, countless numbers of test results verified by numerous independent DNA labs across the country, and here you have this Steve Calvert person posing as a scientist on the Internet trying to convince people that CheckMate doesn't work. Now I ask you - who is the real clown and how should have tape over their mouth?

    Apr 11 09 - 1:19pm
    BH

    And another thing Steve Calvert, just because Acid Phosphatase tests are unreliable and produce results that the poor suckers who purchase from my hundred plus uneducated retailers don't understand, it doesn

    Apr 11 09 - 6:42pm
    BH

    The following post was published by Steve Calvert himself and it's all anyone needs to see that the guy is one clearly disturbed individual. Furthermore, the fact he's linking to this site and the information you're reading right now from his make believe laboratory website is also a clear signal that this cyber stalking lunatic is no scientist of any kind. Yes, he tried convincing consumers that I was a sex offender in 2002 and now in 2009 the brain dead freak of nature says I'm on crack. FYI - When the Fort Worth Texas office of the Better Business Bureau forced this creep to remove the false sex offender claim from his website in a face to face meeting at the BBB he drove directly home and instead of taking it off like he just promised to do he instead changed the already untrue claim to now read

    Apr 18 09 - 11:41pm
    BH

    Again, the following post was published by Steve Calvert himself and it's all anyone needs to see that the guy is one clearly disturbed individual. He constantly refers to me as a wit. He's half right. Please buy Checkmate so I can steal your money.

    Apr 21 09 - 8:55am
    BH

    Demented is the only way to describe this clearly disturbed individual posing as a scientist in Euless Texas because now he's also posing as the owner of the CheckMate company too. The author "BH" of the next post is really "SC" for "Steve Calvert."

    Apr 21 09 - 8:59am
    AS

    I need to order more CheckMate test kits please. Our customers love your product and my company loves the way you have treated us over the years too. Thank you sir and have a great day.

    Apr 21 09 - 8:59am
    DT

    Well with my teenage daughter unfortunately being sexual active I decided to do some checking and I found your web-site, I read all of the testimonials and I was convinced this was the product for me. I checked a-lot of different underclothes, and I also did a known positive, and a known negative, just to double check my results. Wow, you talk about knowing for sure, there was absolutely no doubt in the results. Please feel free to use this picture on your site; it speaks volumes about the difference between pos, and neg. I

    Apr 21 09 - 9:01am
    MG

    Tell your boss I said give you a raise because CheckMate worked beyond my expectations and your customer service skills were equally amazing too. Wwhat a great product!

    Apr 21 09 - 9:02am
    MR

    I am writing to request a CheckMate test for use by our police department. I spoke with you on the phone a few weeks ago and you mentioned that I should send you a request on department letterhead. Please feel free to to visit our department website as well.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:02am
    CJ

    After getting 2 positive test results I am an absolute religious believer in the CheckMate product. Thanks for letting me pay with a money order too and thanks for trusting me by sending the test kits out ahead of time. That's a pretty amazing company you have there.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:03am
    GM

    After 25 years of marriage and after already enduring one affair about 4 years ago my husband began verbally and physically abusing me about one year ago. This whole situation finally reached the boiling point on February 1st (Super Bowl Sunday) when my husband cornered me after I had just gotten out of the shower and actually kicked me. The next day I had a huge bruise on my leg and luckily my sister convinced me to take a picture of the mark he left on my body because it was that photograph that would later convince him to get out when I told him he had an hour and a half to pack his stuff or I was going to call the police. That was a month after the kicking incident on March 1st 2009 right after I had used the CheckMate test kit to prove that the semen stains I discovered all over his underwear were in fact semen. He denied it, he said I was crazy, he said he had a wet dream, but I knew that was all untrue. Because if he did have a wet dream (he didn't, 50 year old men do not have wet dreams) he must have got up in the morning and wore those wet semen stained underwear to work, which of course is not what happened. I am very, very happy with the results and not only did your product bring everything to a conclusion, if I never would have bought the kit I would have been living in a bad marriage with all of his lies and abuse for another 20 years and I just wanted your company to know that on 3-1-2009 you completely changed my life.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:04am
    DF

    You should have your own show because compared to Dr. Phil, Dr. Drew, or whoever else, you are the real McCoy. You opened my eyes and not only did I almost cry tears of joy after the CheckMate test came back negative. I also wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for me on the phone too. You've got to be one of the most caring people I have ever met in my life and like I said on the phone if you ever come to Phoenix I will pick you up at the airport myself. Thanks for giving me your cell phone number too because you truly are my new lifelong friend.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:04am
    HG

    Hi - can you please send us another 200 Checkmate test kits.

    Thanks

    Apr 21 09 - 9:05am
    BB

    After using CheckMate for the last four years our firm has had tremendous success with your product and truthfully nothing makes my job easier than using Checkmate. Last week we brought a case to a successful conclusion for a 50 year old man who's wife was cheating on him and just today our firm caught a another women red handed who was having sex with her own daughters 17 year old boyfriend. There's no doubt about how powerful Checkmate is and we're going to be presenting the evidence in court for for this latest case next week.
    Thanks for everything you've done to help us too.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:05am
    JM

    Guys, I just busted my girl. Saturday night we couldn't get a baby-sitter so she leaves me alone (despite my pleas) and comes home at 6:30am (bars close at 3am.) She tells me they just carried on at a friends place. Yesterday I'm doing laundry and notice a large "stain" in her panties. I instantly knew what it was, and knew it wasn't mine... so after a little online searchin' I found the checkmate kit, www.getcheckmate.com/ , bought one at the local spy store and tested the panties for semen. BUSTED! I confront her with the stained undies, and she blames it on "girl stuff." I told her there was a test kit I could buy downtown and make sure. She says "go ahead, if you don't trust me" 10 minutes later she's showering, changing, and doing the laundry (even though there wasn't really any to do... So I question her about the sudden urge to wash the suspected panties.... she calls me "paranoid." Then I bust out the kit, and the samples i had done earlier... she still wouldn't confess!!! Then I show her a q-tip swab in a zip-loc and announce "well if you can't account for semen in your panties then you were raped! Good thing I kept this sample for the police." finally I got a little truth. She claims a one night drunken mistake, but I'm sure this has gone on for longer. Doesn't really matter... Now I've got a lying, girlfriend to get rid of.

    My advice; Get proof. Give her a chance to confess. Then play it by ear

    Apr 21 09 - 9:06am
    MD

    This is the second time I've used the CheckMate product and luckily this time the test was negative. Because the last time I used it the test results were not only positive, she admitted everything she did, and an independent DNA lab in Houston even confirmed the test results for me and also proved the semen that I discovered was not from me. The guy she cheated with even submitted a cheek swab for testing too. I actually went so far as hiring a private investigator to try and catch her back then and even he couldn't find out what she was doing. I ended up doing it all myself with your product and now after nearly 20 years of marriage all the red flags are beginning to show and I suspect she might be seeing that same guy again.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:06am
    TS

    My wife and I have been separated after 12 years of marriage and your product really gave me the closure I think I needed to move on with my life. The only thing I'm worried about are the kids but for me the positive result was absolutely a relief. I will be sure to recommend CheckMate

    Apr 21 09 - 9:07am
    JG

    My only wish would be that there was something I could do to repay you for what you have done for me because I have never experienced the kind of customer service I got from your company. You were so caring and so understanding that in a time when it seems like the whole world is falling apart your company was not only a breath of fresh air. As far as I'm concerned the CheckMate company is the best company I have ever dealt with in my entire life.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:07am
    RS

    Product was exactly as advertised. I received the product when I expected and it has worked flawlessly

    Apr 21 09 - 9:08am
    DW

    We used the CheckMate product on a recent episode of the television show "Law and Order" and I wanted to thank you for your help. If we ever need another semen detection kit for the show we'll be sure to give you a call

    Apr 21 09 - 9:08am
    MR

    I gave her a second chance after your product worked amazingly well for me about 4 years ago. She admitted it back then too after I did the tests and even though things have been going pretty good for the last few years I think she has gone back to her old ways again which is why I am purchasing CheckMate again today.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:10am
    JS

    Thank you for taking time to speak with me on Friday. It was comforting to hear that there are still companies of integrity like Checkmate that stand for something. Because our DNA lab. has also dealt with some of the same type undermining that you have at Checkmate with regard to unethical webmasters too. As a result, in our efforts to further expand our company we would like to partner with related industry leaders like CheckMate to build mutually beneficial relationships. Our laboratory was founded in 1997 and is fully accredited by the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks). All testing is done on site with in our laboratory. I have attached a copy of our brochure to this email for your review. I look forward to finalizing our agreement and to creating this mutually beneficial partnership for our DNA laboratory, the Checkmate company, and all of our customers.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:10am
    WT

    Our agency has been using the CheckMate product with great success for many years and we would like to order more kits at this time. Also, please let us know if you would like a testimonial from us.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:11am
    FM

    We are a company providing genetic tests and after using CheckMate for a few cases our demand for your product has now increased and we would like to begin providing it for home testing.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:11am
    KS

    After a successful test of CheckMate with a PI this afternoon we are faxing our initial purchase order and want you to know that we appreciate being listing us as a retail outlet for CheckMate on your website.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:12am
    RS

    We use the CheckMate test kit in our lab as a test for the presence of semen. The kit is very well-suited for this type of test. The kit is easy enough to use and after using it on a regular basis I have found the test to also be convenient and reliable.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:13am
    LM

    I am a police Chief in Illinois. We are going to be using the CheckMate product in sexual assault cases here in our jurisdiction. I have spoken to our prosecuting attorney about this and we are both looking forward to using your test kit in these cases

    Apr 21 09 - 9:14am
    JW

    I asked a friend of mine who is a police officer to help me try and dig up information about my wife and whether or not she was cheating on me. He got on the internet, found Checkmate, and told me this was the product to use. It was a good thing too because after getting a positive result from her underwear I have no doubts that she is doing something with someone else. I am quite certain of the positive result and I am even more certain it didn't come from me. To prove it, I sent the underwear to a lab to have a full DNA test done. I read the testimonials on your website before I bought the kit and after doing the test I just wanted to let you know what happened with my test. Thank you very much for helping me get this all straightened out.

    Apr 21 09 - 9:17am
    BH

    The following documented testimonials are from real users of the CheckMate product and we taken directly from the CheckMate website located at www.getcheckMate.com. You can also call toll free at 1 800 498 5015 to order the CheckMate product.

    Apr 25 09 - 7:18am
    RS

    I called to complain and get my refund and was hung up on by some raving lunatic.

    Apr 25 09 - 8:36am
    BH

    The CheckMate company never gets requests for refunds ever and the following claim is the work of Steve Calvert, not "RS" - the same person who claimed "You

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