Determining paternity is a serious issue as it causes unnecessary stress and trauma in some cases. The uncertainty in paternity may give rise to complications in cases like child custody, inheritance, immigration, and other legal cases. In that regard, the DNA paternity test plays an integral role in determining the paternity. A DNA paternity test is the result of the advancement in medical science and technology. This test has made it extremely easy to determine paternity in a safe and secure way. But how does a DNA paternity test work? In this post, we will explain everything about DNA paternity tests in detail.
What is a DNA Paternity Test?
A DNA paternity test is one way of determining paternity in a solid way. The sample for this test includes the blood and cheek swab method. Nevertheless, this test has an accuracy rate of 99%, which has made it a preferred choice of doctors. Further, the test is painless and non-invasive. You do not have to take any specific medicine to carry out the test. This test is the scientific way of proving whether the man is the biological father of the child or not.
How Does DNA Paternity Test Work?
The DNA paternity test method is quite simple. A DNA sample of the mother, father, and child is needed. The source of the sample might be either blood or cheek swab method. Then, the lab analyzes the samples and looks for specific genetic markers shared by all. If there is the existence of shared genetic markers between three people, then man is the biological father of the child. The exclusion rate of the DNA paternity test is 99.9%, which eliminates any doubt concerning paternity or wrong positive.
What Things to Consider Before a DNA Paternity Test?
If you have planned or are planning to file for a DNA paternity test, you must consider this thing. Since the tests mostly use the cheek swab method for data collection. Thus, it is better to avoid these things at least one hour before the test, including:
- Do not brush your teeth before the test
- Try to avoid drinking or eating anything one hour before the test.
- Avoid putting dentures
- Stop smoking or chewing any other tobacco product.
The avoidance of these things ensures a 99.9% correct test.
What are the Types of DNA Paternity Tests?
Some of the most common types of DNA Paternity test include the following:
- Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Testing
As the name suggests, this test helps to determine the paternity during pregnancy and before the birth of the child. This test is completely non-invasive and does not include any risk concerning the lives of the mother and fetus. For this test, the mother’s blood is the sample for the child’s DNA. On the other hand, the cheek swab method is the priority for the father’s DNA. After that, the samples go to the lab for further analysis, just like paternity testing to determine the biological father.
- Legal Paternity Testing
Do not get scared by the name. There is nothing new in this. Rather, you just have to get a legal order from the court for conducting paternity testing. Legal paternity testing is specifically used to resolve legal cases. However, the test must be from a certified lab to meet the legal requirements of the test.
- Home DNA Test Kit
A home DNA test kit is one of the most widely used methods for determining paternity. In this, you do not have to leave the comfort of your home. Rather, you just place an order to buy the kit, collect the sample, seal it, and mail it back to the lab for analysis. After a few days, you get the results online. However, this test is not eligible for legal DNA testing.
Are There Any Other Ways of Determining Paternity?
Yes, there are some other ways of determining paternity. Facial recognition tests are one way of determining paternity. However, a facial recognition test is not the ideal solution as it does not have a high accuracy rate like DNA paternity testing. Further, facial recognition is just an assumption and does not rely on a concrete sample.
Some people assume that DNA drug testing helps in determining paternity, which is not true at all. Rather, DNA drug testing focuses on highlighting the impact of drugs on genes and health.
Conclusion
DNA paternity test plays an integral role in determining paternity, which is the result of the advancement in medical science and technology. With this test, you do not have to worry about legal cases and personal matters. If you are looking for an accredited lab for DNA paternity test, then you may consider Choice DNA. They offer both paternity testing and home DNA test kits.
