Five top things to know about a DNA Paternity Test

Whilst the awareness about DNA Paternity testingpaternity 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 is3. 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 aboutcompany 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 biologicalaccuracy of the results. Also make sure that when
relationshipsreport the result a full DNA profile is provided for the
A DNA Paternity test is the most accurate way of16 loci analysed, as well as the statistical probability of
determining a biological relationship between anpaternity. A simple Yes/No answer should not be
alleged father/mother and their child. Whilst in thedeemed acceptable.
past blood grouping analysis was used as a screening4. Paternity tests can be performed without the
method, the relevance of this test has been greatlysample of the mother
reduced as the level of accuracy of this type of testTo perform a DNA Paternity test the sample of the
is low compared to the result of a DNA test. A DNAMother is not necessary to obtain an accurate result.
paternity test will provide 100% certainty ofHowever, 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 Testin specific cases will the sample of the mother
and a Legal Paternity Testprovide more accurate results such in the case of
The difference between an At-Home Paternity Testgene mutation. Many companies offer to test the
(also called Curiosity Test) and a Legal Paternity Testmother at no extra charge.
is not the actual result but the way in which the5. DNA can be obtained from a diverse range of
sample collection is performed. For an At-Homesamples
Paternity test, a home dna kit is normally sent to theIt is possible to obtain DNA from a number of other
requesting party. The kit will normally include i) oralsources such as hair, blood, semen and items such as
swabs to take the saliva sample, ii) documentation tocigarette 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. Thesamples, in cases where a person may not be
sample is taken by the parties themselves who arephysically present, able or willing to donate a sample,
participating in the test. In a Legal DNA Paternitythen alternate samples can be obtained.
Test, the sample collection must follow a strict chainTop writer Kevin Camilleri writes about dna paternity
of custody procedure. All samples need to betest. The author focuses on topics about dna
collected and documented by a independent thirdpaternity and dna testing. Additional resources and
party (normally a qualified general practitioner orarticles written by Kevin Camilleri related to dna
nurse) who will be responsible to verify andpaternity testing are accessible on the net.
authenticate the samples. The actual result of the