| Whilst the awareness about DNA Paternity testing | | | | paternity in terms of the biological relationship will not |
| has greatly increased throughout most of the world, | | | | differ. |
| there is still a lot of information about the test that is | | | | 3. Always select a properly accredited laboratory |
| not known. | | | | Always chose to do your paternity test through a |
| The following are the five top things to know about | | | | company that uses an ISO17025 and/or AABB |
| a DNA Paternity Test: | | | | accredited laboratory. This will ensure the quality and |
| 1. Most accurate method of determining biological | | | | accuracy of the results. Also make sure that when |
| relationships | | | | report the result a full DNA profile is provided for the |
| A DNA Paternity test is the most accurate way of | | | | 16 loci analysed, as well as the statistical probability of |
| determining a biological relationship between an | | | | paternity. A simple Yes/No answer should not be |
| alleged father/mother and their child. Whilst in the | | | | deemed acceptable. |
| past blood grouping analysis was used as a screening | | | | 4. Paternity tests can be performed without the |
| method, the relevance of this test has been greatly | | | | sample of the mother |
| reduced as the level of accuracy of this type of test | | | | To perform a DNA Paternity test the sample of the |
| is low compared to the result of a DNA test. A DNA | | | | Mother is not necessary to obtain an accurate result. |
| paternity test will provide 100% certainty of | | | | However, when available, it is always recommended |
| exclusion and 99.9%+ probability of inclusion. | | | | that the sample of the Mother is also provided. Only |
| 2. Difference between an At-Home Paternity Test | | | | in specific cases will the sample of the mother |
| and a Legal Paternity Test | | | | provide more accurate results such in the case of |
| The difference between an At-Home Paternity Test | | | | gene mutation. Many companies offer to test the |
| (also called Curiosity Test) and a Legal Paternity Test | | | | mother at no extra charge. |
| is not the actual result but the way in which the | | | | 5. DNA can be obtained from a diverse range of |
| sample collection is performed. For an At-Home | | | | samples |
| Paternity test, a home dna kit is normally sent to the | | | | It is possible to obtain DNA from a number of other |
| requesting party. The kit will normally include i) oral | | | | sources such as hair, blood, semen and items such as |
| swabs to take the saliva sample, ii) documentation to | | | | cigarette butts and a toothbrush. Whilst the current |
| provide relevant information including consent iii) | | | | standard is to use an oral swab to collect saliva |
| instructions and terms and conditions of sale. The | | | | samples, in cases where a person may not be |
| sample is taken by the parties themselves who are | | | | physically present, able or willing to donate a sample, |
| participating in the test. In a Legal DNA Paternity | | | | then alternate samples can be obtained. |
| Test, the sample collection must follow a strict chain | | | | Top writer Kevin Camilleri writes about dna paternity |
| of custody procedure. All samples need to be | | | | test. The author focuses on topics about dna |
| collected and documented by a independent third | | | | paternity and dna testing. Additional resources and |
| party (normally a qualified general practitioner or | | | | articles written by Kevin Camilleri related to dna |
| nurse) who will be responsible to verify and | | | | paternity testing are accessible on the net. |
| authenticate the samples. The actual result of the | | | | |