How Does It Work?

A DNA paternity test is carried out using state of the art technology for DNA extraction and analysis that provides results with extremely high levels of precision. DNA paternity tests are based on the analysis of the DNA profile of the individuals, and the comparison of these DNA profiles in order to find if there is enough genetic material in common to establish the presence of a biological relationship. Paternity testing is based on the premise that we inherit half our DNA from our fathers and half our DNA from our mothers. Therefore persons who are biologically related must share similar DNA profiles. Conversely, the absence of similarities in the DNA profiles of the child and the alleged father is used as proof that no biological relationship exists. For more information please read our page on the Science Behind Paternity Testing.

Levels of Probability

DNA paternity test can establish either one of the following:

There is a 100% probability that the alleged father is NOT the biological father.

OR

There is a 99.99% probability that the alleged father is the biological father.

A paternity test is therefore, able to confirm paternity with astounding accuracy. In statistical terms, a 99.99% level of probability would mean that that only another one person per 10,000 of the population could be the father. If you consider the likelihood of the mother meeting up with that other 1 person then that possibility is practically zero – this clearly shows how accurate this test is in providing conclusive results.

A paternity test is also able to exclude a person as being the biological father of a child with a 100% probability; in other words it is able to eliminate an alleged father as being the father of the child in a definitive manner.

Types of Paternity Tests

There are several types of paternity tests. The main ones being the home paternity test and the legal paternity test. The ‘at home paternity test’ is used in cases where the test results are for informational purposes only, that is, they do not need to be used as official proof of paternity, for example, in a court of law. In this case, the persons undergoing the paternity test collect the test samples themselves, using simple oral swabs, in the comfort of their home environment. The DNA samples collected can then be sent directly by post or courier to the laboratory for testing. To conclude, if the paternity test is required simply in order to discover or confirm the identity of the biological father for one’s own personal information than what is needed is the ‘at home paternity test’. For more information please visit the At Home Paternity Test.

Prenatal Paternity Testing

In some cases, it may be essential to establish paternity while still pregnant. The mother might want to have the real father involved in the baby’s life as early as possible and make early arrangements by, for example, knowing which is the real biological father to register on the child’s birth certificate at birth. It is possible in this case to carry out a prenatal paternity test. You can choose between invasive prenatal testing and non invasive prenatal paternity testing; the former is much more complex and can also be risky for the unborn baby. The non invasive test is risk free and far more straightforward.

Legal Paternity Test

On the other hand, if the paternity test results need to be used in any way in an official capacity, for example to establish legal paternity rights or to claim maintenance, then a legal paternity test is required. The difference between a legal paternity test and an ‘at-home paternity test’ lies mainly in the method of sample collection. In this case, the sample collection needs to follow a series of procedures that ensure that a ‘chain of custody’ is maintained. This requires that sample collection is carried out by an independent person who will ensure that the identity of the persons participating in the test is verified and that the samples collected are in no way tampered with. These procedures are aimed at protecting the integrity of the test. For more information on the legal paternity test please visit the Legal Paternity Test.