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