The Blog of Science

What is paternity testing?

Paternity testing refers to any methodology aimed to determine the biological fatherhood of an individual. Paternity testing is usually an important issue with personal and legal implications. Paternity tests are brought into a legal issue for financial or emotional reasons, or simply to get peace of mind by knowing. When you get involved in a legal dispute in which paternity is an issue, it is critical that your attorney is qualified in family law.
Why is paternity testing important in a legal case?

In cases where paternity testing is required for legal reasons, the results are critical to determine outcomes such as child custody, inheritance, child support, citizenship, immigration, adoption, and more. The courts use paternity testing records to deliver orders in many family law disputes and cases of divorce.

How is paternity testing done?

There are several kinds of paternity tests. The oldest sorts, known as red blood grouping tests, were typically employed to exclude paternity, but they were not useful to identify the father. While red blood grouping tests are very reliable, they have strong limitations. Nowadays paternity testing involves the highly accurate process of DNA testing. DNA paternity testing is virtually 100 percent accurate and is accepted as legal evidence in the courts.
What kind of sample is needed?

DNA paternity tests can be done from samples of saliva, blood, hair, semen or other tissues that contain DNA. Most commonly, paternity testing use the painless, non-invasive buccal/mouth swab. A sample of cheek cells are gently taken from the inside of a patient’s cheek by rubbing with a cotton-like swab. The cells are then analyzed to determine if the DNA of the child and alleged father match.
Who is involved in the test?

In general, paternity testing are done with samples from the mother, child, and alleged father, but the test still can be done if the mother is not present. DNA testing can also be performed before the child is born. A test called CVS can establish paternity by the tenth week of pregnancy and amniocentesis can be done between 14 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
What if the alleged father passed away? DNA paternity testing can also be performed when both parents of the child are deceased. DNA samples can be taken from the alleged father’s relatives. Although these tests are reliable, they are not as accurate as direct paternity testing.

Who performs the DNA tests?

Many public and private medical facilities in the United States offer paternity testing. Always make sure that your paternity test is done by an center or hospital that is accredited by the Parentage Testing Committee of the American Association of Blood Banks. This is a way to ensure your results are accurate and will be accepted by a court.
How expensive are the DNA tests?

The cost of paternity testing depends on the kind of procedure. Prices usually range from $50 to $2,000. At-home DNA paternity kits are cheaper and are available over the Internet. They can be purchased from any place in the world. Again, before ordering make sure that the company that offers the kit is recognized and provides what is needed for a court-approved DNA paternity test.