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