subject: Legal Vs. Home Paternity Test [print this page] Types of Paternity DNA Tests Types of Paternity DNA Tests
There are basically two types of paternity DNA tests you can order, the home paternity DNA test and the legal paternity DNA test. The home paternity DNA test is used for informational purposes, that is, to establish whether a biological relationship does indeed exist between an alleged father and a child, to satisfy ones own need to know. Therefore one can, for example, a person may choose to carry out a home DNA paternity test in cases of suspected infidelity of ones partner, or else a childs mother may wish to ascertain which one of two possible fathers is indeed the biological father of ones child.
In these cases the procedure is quick, simple and fairly straightforward. The DNA samples required for the test are collected using oral swabs which are rubbed on the inside of the cheek and of the tongue in order to collect saliva and skin cells to be used for DNA extraction. A sample needs to be taken from the child, and another one from the alleged father, or fathers.
Testing companies will also frequently recommend that a sample of the mother be included as this will help produce better results. These samples will then need to be mailed back to the laboratory in order for DNA extraction and analysis to be carried out. Modern laboratories are usually able to provide result within 5-7 working days, and these are usually sent to the clients by e-mail.
The Legal DNA Paternity Test
If however, one needs to use the results for legal purposes, for example in order to claim child support, one will need to order what is called a legal DNA paternity test, and not a home DNA paternity test, as the results of the test will need to be admissable in a court of law. The essential difference between the two types of test lies in the mode of sample collection, and not in the test itself.
In a legal DNA test the samples will need to be collected by an independent third party, who needs to ensure the correct identity of the persons taking part in the test by checking for example their identity card or their passport, and who will act as a witness to the fact that the samples have been indeed collected from the persons who are involved in the test, and have not been in any way tampered with. This procedure is called maintaining the chain of custody and is essentially aimed as having a means of proving the authenticity of the test results. The results are then signed by a notary and posted to the clients by mail.
Cost of DNA Test
It is important to note that a legal paternity test tends to be more expensive than a home paternity test as it involves certain costs such as paying clinic fees, paying notarial fees etc. Therefore one may wish to choose to carry out a home paternity test first, before proceeding with ordering a legal home DNA test. For example, one may choose to establish first whether the alleged father is indeed the biological father before proceeding with a legal paternity test in order to claim child support.
