DNA paternity testing works by drawing a comparison between a child’s
DNA profile and the equivalent profile of a presumed father. As any
child's DNA will be made up of half from each biological parent, by
comparing the two sets of DNA,
scientists are then able to see what
similarities may have been inherited. Whenever a parent and child are
proven biologically related, then their DNA profiles will show
perceptible patterns that mark them out as part of the same
family.Depending upon circumstances, approaches to DNA paternity testing
vary. Testing can be conducted prenatally, which provides answers prior
to birth, which can help to ensure clarity and a stable situation for
all concerned when the child is born. Modern methods of prenatal DNA
paternity testing have the advantage of being non-invasive (the
procedure is similar to a blood test for the mother), differing in this
respect from prior methods used which would have required taking a
sample from the fetus, which carries more inherent risk. The results of
DNA paternity testing are also more definitive than the blood type or
antigen testing, and that degree of reliability is highly valued. After
childbirth, private or in-home DNA paternity testing is another popular
option; this method is valued for it\\\'s discretion, reliability and
relative ease as samples are self collected. Kits are dispatched to the
parties due to be tested (along with required consent forms) and usually
all that\\\'s required to get a valid sample is a simple cheek swab.
This method is sometimes known as \\\'peace of mind\\\' paternity
testing, because although the results will satisfy curiosity and
potentially provide reassurance, the self-collection involved means that
any results produced are not legally admissible should there be any
subsequent proceedings.\r\n\r\nIf paternity testing is required for
legal purposes, then Legal DNA paternity testing is an option. When
paternity test results are required for any legal purpose, then strict
procedures are followed by accredited laboratories to ensure test
results are legally defensible. Typically this is only necessary for
family law cases, child support/custody disputes etcetera, but in these
instances the additional certainty provided by DNA paternity testing
gives it a massive advantage over methods used historically.\r\n\r\nDNA
paternity testing can benefit from improved accuracy if the child’s
mother is available for testing; although a valid result can be achieved
without the mother\\\'s participation, when the mother contributes a
DNA sample, then the laboratory is able to exclude aspects of the
child\\\'s DNA common with her, to give a clearer indication of how much
of the remaining DNA is common to the alleged father. Again, this level
of precision and understanding of what aspects of the DNA come from
which parent is only made possible through the use of DNA paternity
testing.\r\n\r\n\r\nA \\\'Probability of Paternity\\\' is the output of
DNA paternity testing, and the result will tend to be towards the
extremes of 0% and 100% probability. When the result shows 99% or higher
then the alleged biological father is \\\'not excluded\\\' as the
father of the child (and is in fact likely to be the parent). With blood
tests previously used, results could rule out potential parents but not
make such a confident prediction of paternity for a likely father.
Thanks to DNA paternity testing, it\\\'s not uncommon to see
probabilities of 99.99% or even higher. A Probability of Paternity
percentage of 0% means that in this case the alleged father is wholly
excluded as a potential biological father of the child tested.\r\n