Paternity Testing

Paternity testing

Genetic information is increasingly being used to establish family relationships, usually but not exclusively paternity.

In the past this involved the taking of blood samples and so health professionals were invariably involved in the process, but developments in technology have led to tests being carried out on other material such as a few hair follicles or a mouth swab without medical involvement. As a result, paternity testing is now offered as a direct to the public service, using home testing kits or tests obtained via the internet and sent off for analysis.

Although samples from the putative father and the child are always required, it is no longer necessary for the mother to provide a sample in order to obtain a meaningful result. These developments have raised the possibility of samples being tested without the knowledge and consent of all parties.

If you’re considering a paternity test, it’s important to think carefully about the issues involved, for example:

whether testing is in the child’s best interests
the impact of the test result, including its effect on family relationships

If the result is unexpected or not the result you want, it can affect everyone involved for the rest of their lives.

It’s a good idea to discuss the issues with your GP.

If you do decide to have a paternity test, you will have to pay for it. The cost varies depending on the test provider you use. It’s important to use a company with high quality service and standards.

Prenatal paternity testing for unborn child

Invasive prenatal paternity testing
Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing

DNA and paternity tests

A child inherits DNA from both its parents. Paternity tests can identify whether a man is the father of a child by looking at DNA from:

the man
the child
the mother

What is a home paternity DNA test?

A home DNA test, or a “peace of mind” paternity test, is a paternity test in which the DNA samples are collected at home without the paperwork needed for a legal paternity test. It’s characterised by self-collection of the genetic sample by the test participants.

What are the Key Features of the Home Paternity test?

Accurate

Our home paternity test is an extremely accurate test and will provide you with up to 99.99% probability of paternity in the case of an inclusion, and 0% in the case of exclusion. All tests are performed using 21 genetic markers to meet international testing standards and guarantee maximum accuracy. The paternity test can be performed with only the samples of the alleged father and the child you do not need to include the sample of the mother although recommended.

Easy-to-use DNA test kit

Our DNA testing kit will contain all you require to perform the test. We will send you oral swabs to rub on the inside of your mouth in order to collect cheek cells; hence, you will not need to go through painful blood sampling. All our kits contain comprehensive instructions. You can see online how easy it is to collect your DNA samples.

Fast

Results will be issued within 3 to 5 working days from receipt of your samples at the laboratory. Results for home paternity testing will be sent to you by email unless otherwise requested (additional charges may apply).

All home paternity tests are performed by an ISO17025 accredited laboratory which has performed over 250,000 DNA tests to date. You can, therefore, rest assured that your test is being performed under the strictest of guidelines.

Are home paternity tests accurate?

Are Home Paternity Tests Accurate? If you use an accredited lab, you can be confident your home paternity test results are 100% accurate for the samples provided to the laboratory. For at-home testing, the lab relies on test participants to make sure samples being analyzed by the lab belong to the correct people

How does a paternity test prove who the father is?

Paternity can be determined by highly accurate tests conducted on blood or tissue samples of the father (or alleged father), mother and child. These tests have an accuracy range of between 90 and 99 percent. … If the father could be one of several men, each may be required to take a genetic test to determine paternity.

How do you do a paternity test?

Paternity or maternity testing for child or adult The DNA test is performed by collecting buccal (cheek) cells found on the inside of a person’s cheek using a buccal or cheek swab. These swabs have wooden or plastic stick handles with a cotton on synthetic tip.

How long does it take to get the results of a paternity test?

How Long Does a DNA Paternity Test Take? Most laboratories usually can process results in 2 to 3 days from the time your samples are received.

Can you do a paternity test without the father knowing?

It is possible to have a DNA paternity test without the father’s direct involvement. One way is to test the father’s parents or his first degree relatives. Or, non-standard samples from the father, such as an autopsy sample can be used

Do a father and son have the same DNA?

There are two (and only two) sources of DNA, however, that do not mix the mother’s and the father’s DNA. … Fortunately, one comes from the father and the other from the mother. The Lambert DNA Project is based on one of these sources. Each son receives DNA for his Y chromosome from his father.

Do Babies always have the father’s blood type?

No it doesn’t. Neither of your parents has to have the same blood type as you. For example if one of your parents was AB+ and the other was O+, they could only have A and B kids. In other words, most likely none of their kids would share either parent’s blood type

What does a negative paternity test mean?

A negative test result means that the laboratory did not find a change in the gene, chromosome, or protein under consideration. … Uninformative test results sometimes occur because everyone has common, natural variations in their DNA, called polymorphisms, that do not affect health.

Is a DNA test free at birth?

You can DNA test a baby after birth as soon as the baby has been cleaned up by hospital staff. Because a cheek swab is used, it’s important that the baby’s mouth be free from meconium, amniotic fluid, breast milk, or formula when doing the DNA collection

Can a DNA test be done with just the father and child?

Paternity testing with just a father and a child usually produces a high CPI and a very high Probability of Paternity (usually 99.99% or greater if he is the father). However, sometimes the matches between father and child aren’t strong enough for conclusive results

Paternity Testing