Facts Answers and Questions about DNA Paternity Testing

Questions and Answers Regarding DNA Testing

1. What is a DNA Paternity Test? A DNA paternity test determines the biological father of a child by comparing the DNA of the child and the alleged father. It provides a conclusive answer with 99.99% accuracy.

2. How accurate are DNA paternity tests? DNA paternity tests are highly accurate, typically providing 99.99% accuracy for excluding or confirming paternity.

3. What is the difference between legal and non-legal (informational) DNA testing? Legal DNA testing follows strict procedures to verify identity and chain of custody, making the results admissible in court. Non-legal testing is for personal knowledge and cannot be used in legal matters.

4. How long does it take to get the results? Results are usually available within 3-5 business days after the laboratory receives all the samples.

5. Is DNA testing confidential? Yes, all DNA testing is conducted with complete confidentiality. Your results and personal information are securely protected.

6. What kind of sample is required for a DNA paternity test? The most common sample is a cheek swab (buccal swab), which is painless and non-invasive. Other sample types, such as blood or hair, may also be used if needed.

7. Can I use the results of a non-legal paternity test in court? No, only legal DNA tests, which follow strict procedures and documentation, are admissible in court for child custody, support, or other legal matters.

8. Can I do a paternity test without the father knowing? Yes, a mother can perform a non-legal paternity test without the father’s consent using discreet sample collection methods like a cheek swab or other non-invasive methods.

9. Do I need to provide my DNA for a paternity test? It is not always required, but including the mother’s DNA can increase the accuracy of the test. The mother’s sample is especially helpful in standard trio tests.

10. What happens if the alleged father refuses to take a paternity test? If the test is needed for legal reasons, the court may order the alleged father to participate in a legal paternity test.

11. How can I be sure the test is accurate? DNA testing compares 20+ genetic markers between the child and the alleged father, making it nearly impossible for an inaccurate result. Our labs follow strict protocols to ensure precision.

12. Can I get a paternity test before the baby is born? Yes, prenatal paternity tests can be conducted using non-invasive prenatal paternity (NIPP), which requires a sample of the mother’s blood and the alleged father’s DNA.

13. How soon after birth can I perform a paternity test? A paternity test can be done as soon as the child is born. A cheek swab from the baby and the alleged father is the most common method.

14. How does a legal paternity test work if I want to establish custody or child support? A legal paternity test must follow strict chain-of-custody procedures to ensure the test is admissible in court. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with an accredited DNA collection center.

15. Can a grandparent get a DNA test to prove paternity? Yes, a grandparentage test can determine whether a child is biologically related to one or both grandparents when the alleged father is not available for testing.

16. Is grandparent DNA testing as accurate as a paternity test? While not as conclusive as a direct paternity test, grandparent testing provides a high degree of accuracy in determining biological relationships.

17. Can a grandparent perform a legal DNA test for custody issues? Yes, a legal grandparent DNA test can be used in custody and inheritance cases if the alleged father is unavailable or unwilling to participate.

18. Will the test hurt? No, DNA paternity tests are painless. A simple cheek swab is used to collect your DNA.

19. Do I need my mother’s DNA to find out who my father is? While having your mother’s DNA can help, it’s not always necessary. A test comparing just your DNA and the alleged father’s DNA can provide a conclusive result.

20. How do I get the results, and who sees them? You can choose how you’d like to receive the results, whether by email, mail, or secure online portal. The results are confidential, and only you and the authorized individuals will have access to them.

21. Questions from Moms

    1. Can I do a paternity test without the father knowing? Yes, a mother can perform a non-legal paternity test without the father’s consent using discreet sample collection methods like a cheek swab or other non-invasive methods.

    2. Do I need to provide my DNA for a paternity test? It is not always required, but including the mother’s DNA can increase the accuracy of the test. The mother’s sample is especially helpful in standard trio tests.

    3. What happens if the alleged father refuses to take a paternity test? If the test is needed for legal reasons, the court may order the alleged father to participate in a legal paternity test.

    Questions from Dads

    1. How can I be sure the test is accurate? DNA testing compares 20+ genetic markers between the child and the alleged father, making it nearly impossible for an inaccurate result. Our labs follow strict protocols to ensure precision.

    2. Can I get a paternity test before the baby is born? Yes, prenatal paternity tests can be conducted using non-invasive prenatal paternity (NIPP), which requires a sample of the mother’s blood and the alleged father’s DNA.

    3. How soon after birth can I perform a paternity test? A paternity test can be done as soon as the child is born. A cheek swab from the baby and the alleged father is the most common method.

    4. How does a legal paternity test work if I want to establish custody or child support? A legal paternity test must follow strict chain-of-custody procedures to ensure the test is admissible in court. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with an accredited DNA collection center.

    Questions from Grandparents

    1. Can a grandparent get a DNA test to prove paternity? Yes, a grandparentage test can determine whether a child is biologically related to one or both grandparents when the alleged father is not available for testing.

    2. Is grandparent DNA testing as accurate as a paternity test? While not as conclusive as a direct paternity test, grandparent testing provides a high degree of accuracy in determining biological relationships.

    3. Can a grandparent perform a legal DNA test for custody issues? Yes, a legal grandparent DNA test can be used in custody and inheritance cases if the alleged father is unavailable or unwilling to participate.

    Questions from Children

    1. Will the test hurt? No, DNA paternity tests are painless. A simple cheek swab is used to collect your DNA.

    2. Do I need my mother’s DNA to find out who my father is? While having your mother’s DNA can help, it’s not always necessary. A test comparing just your DNA and the alleged father’s DNA can provide a conclusive result.

    3. How do I get the results, and who sees them? You can choose how you’d like to receive the results, whether by email, mail, or secure online portal. The results are confidential, and only you and the authorized individuals will have access to them.

    Special Situations

    1. What is a Motherless Paternity Test? A motherless paternity test compares the DNA of just the child and alleged father without the mother’s involvement. It is still highly accurate, although including the mother’s DNA is preferred for additional accuracy.

    2. Can a DNA test be performed if the alleged father is deceased? Yes, DNA testing can be done using alternative samples such as blood or tissue from the deceased if available, or through a grandparent, sibling, or close relative DNA test.

    3. Can two potential fathers who are related take a DNA test? Yes, in cases where the potential fathers are related (e.g., brothers), it’s important to notify the lab so they can take extra steps to ensure the results are accurate.

    4. Can I test multiple alleged fathers at the same time? Yes, you can test multiple men in the same test by submitting their DNA samples. This will help determine which man is the biological father.

Here are the do’s and don’ts for preparing for a DNA swab test:

What You Should Do Before Getting Swabbed:

1. Do Brush Your Teeth and Rinse Your Mouth: Ensure your mouth is clean by brushing your teeth at least an hour before the test. Rinse your mouth with water to remove any food particles or contaminants.

2. Do Drink Water: Stay hydrated before the test by drinking water, as a dry mouth can make it difficult to collect a good DNA sample.

3. Do Follow Any Specific Instructions: If the testing facility gives you specific instructions (e.g., fasting or avoiding certain substances), follow them carefully.

4. Do Ensure Your Child Follows the Same Guidelines: If testing a child, make sure they brush their teeth, avoid eating or drinking, and clean their mouth before the swab.

What You Should Not Do Before Getting Swabbed:

1. Don’t Eat or Drink 30 Minutes Before the Test: Avoid eating or drinking anything, including gum, candy, or beverages, 30 minutes before the swab to prevent contamination of the DNA sample.

2. Don’t Smoke or Chew Tobacco: Refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco, as this can leave residue in your mouth that may affect the results.

3. Don’t Use Mouthwash or Breath Fresheners: Avoid using any mouthwash, breath fresheners, or alcohol-based products right before the test, as these can contaminate the sample.

4. Don’t Touch the Swab with Your Hands: When handling the swab, avoid touching the cotton tip to prevent contamination. Only swab the inside of your cheek as instructed.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure a clean and reliable DNA sample for accurate results.

Additional Things to Know About DNA Paternity Testing

1. Testing Without the Alleged Father’s Consent: In some states or countries, testing a person’s DNA without their consent may be illegal, even for non-legal tests. It's important to understand the legal requirements in your area.

2. Chain of Custody for Legal Testing: If you need the results for legal purposes, make sure the testing follows a strict "chain of custody" process, which verifies the identity of all parties and ensures the samples are handled correctly to be admissible in court.

3. Sample Collection Process: For most DNA tests, a simple, non-invasive cheek swab is used to collect DNA. However, in special cases, other types of samples (blood, hair, etc.) may be requested if necessary.

4. No Age Limits for DNA Testing: DNA testing can be performed at any age, from newborns to adults. In fact, prenatal paternity testing is also available if needed before the baby is born.

5. What Happens If the Alleged Father Is Deceased? If the alleged father is deceased, a DNA sample may still be obtained through other methods such as samples from a close relative (e.g., grandparents, siblings), or if there’s access to a biological sample from the deceased, such as blood or hair. In instances where the person is recently deceased and NOT buried, we can work with the funeral home to get a DNA swab or additional biological forms from the deceased and send it to the lab for testing.

6. Results and Accuracy: The accuracy of DNA paternity tests is almost 100% for confirming or excluding a biological relationship. It’s virtually impossible for two unrelated individuals to have the same DNA profile.

7. Cost Considerations: The cost of DNA testing varies depending on whether the test is for legal or non-legal purposes, as well as the type of test (paternity, grandparent, sibling, etc.). Legal tests tend to be more expensive due to the strict procedures involved.

8. Lab Accreditation: It’s important to use a laboratory that is accredited by organizations such as the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) to ensure accurate, reliable, and court-admissible results.

9. Can Results Be Challenged? DNA paternity results are scientifically valid, but if you believe an error occurred during testing (such as identity mismanagement), it may be possible to request a re-test through a different lab. However, challenges based on the science itself are extremely rare.

10. Emotional Considerations: Undergoing paternity testing can be emotionally challenging for all parties involved, including children. It’s important to be prepared for the emotional outcomes of the results, whether confirming or denying paternity.

11. Interpreting Results: DNA test results are straightforward, with either a 99.99% probability of paternity (positive result) or a 0% probability (negative result). Labs typically provide clear documentation and interpretation, but you can consult with the testing facility for further clarification.

12. International Testing: If one or more parties live in different countries, DNA samples can be collected in different locations. Many accredited labs offer international testing services with coordinated sample collection.

After the Test:

1. What Happens After Getting the Results? Once you receive the results, if they are for legal purposes, you can use them for child custody, child support, inheritance, or other legal matters. If the results are for personal knowledge, it’s up to you how to proceed with the information.

2. Counseling Support: Some families may benefit from professional counseling or mediation services after receiving paternity results, particularly in cases where the outcome could affect relationships or future legal steps. You didn’t come this far to stop!