DNA Testing for paternity identification related issues is not the mystery it was only a few years ago.

After all, it makes regular appearances in the crime novels we read, the CSI shows on TV and in courtroom dramas on the big screen.

Most people understand that DNA (also known as our chromosomal fingerprint) can be found in trace evidence from crime scenes and is used to identify criminals.

Legal DNA Paternity Testing

Legal DNA Testing, done through an accredited DNA Testing facility, is court admissible evidence and considered one of our best ways of pinpointing identity through evidence left behind such as blood, hair, saliva or bodily fluids. But it is always very frequently used in identifying the paternity of a child.

In order to understand how DNA Testing works, it is essential to understand DNA itself. DNA consists of a ladder-like structure of chromosomes that a father and a mother contribute to a child.

At birth, that child has identifiable characteristics of both the mother and the father’s DNA within his/her own DNA structure.

Historically, attributes such as eye color, hair color, blood type and facial features were the things that fathers used to be certain of parentage. And in fact, there is a test for eye color that can potentially eliminate a man as a child’s father.

However, there is a much broader range of error in that test than accuracy. Even blood type can be tricky. So many people share the same blood type, it would be impossible to eliminate a woman’s husband who shared the same blood type as the child’s biological father.

Today, DNA Testing is also used in a number of domestic cases, including when there is a dispute or a question concerning the true identity of a child’s father.

Paternity DNA Tests

Paternity DNA Testing can be done using only a DNA Testing sample from the presumed father and from the child in question. However, it is much more accurate if the mother’s DNA Testing sample is included in the test.

There are also two kinds of tests-the less expensive home DNA Testing kits and the legal DNA Testing done through an accredited facility. Experts recommend where paternity is concerned, it pays to do the DNA Test legally, so that the results are court admissible.

There are a myriad of reasons why it might be important to know the true identity of a child’s father, but it’s a complicated issue, fraught with emotional land mines.

In most states, if a man and a woman have been married 300 days at the time the woman gives birth, her husband is legally considered to be the father of the child. However, that assumes that the wife has been entirely faithful to the marriage.

In most cases, this is true, and the husband has no reason to assume differently.

But suppose a question has come up about a child’s parentage.In the case of Dean Smith, 34, a Los Angeles carpenter, divorce was imminent. He and his wife had a daughter who was three-years-old, whom Dean had always assumed was his.

But in the heat of an argument, his wife had implied that might not be the case. Suddenly, Dean was no longer sure she was his biological daughter. He considered getting a DNA Paternity Test.

Paternity Identification and the Right to Know

Now, there are a number of factors at work here:

Dean has the right to know if he is the father of the child he has been raising and supporting. Legally, he is responsible for her.

The child has the right to know if Dean is, in fact, her father.

If Dean is her biological father, then he is legally bound to support the child until she turns 18. If he is not her biological father, he might have a case for discontinuing child support.

The problem is, Dean loves the little girl, whether he is, in fact, her father or not.

So, complicated issues of betrayal, legality and ethics arise around paternity and these should all be considered carefully before deciding to do a Paternity DNA test.

In messy divorce cases, there are times when legal DNA testing evidence that eliminates a husband as the father can have serious financial ramifications for both the child and the father.

Women also have a right to know paternity of their children. If a woman has had several partners and is not certain of paternity, a DNA paternity case can resolve this question.

Not only does she then have the legal right to expect financial support from the biological father, but her child will have an accurate family history to trace as he/she gets older. It can also prove to an uncertain husband that he is, in fact, the father of her child.

Gina, 18, had been adopted at birth. She loved her adoptive parents but was curious about her biological parents. Her search took her two years, but eventually, she found Tom, the man she believed was her father.

Tom was married with a young family, and had no idea a child had been born of a relationship that ended years before his current one. He agreed to do a paternity DNA Test.

They both gave saliva swipe samples to an accredited DNA Testing facility. The results took seven days to complete and cost nearly $500. It turned out Tom was, in fact, Gina’s biological father.

With all doubt removed from the equation, Tom acknowledged Gina as his daughter and introduced her to his wife and Gina’s half-siblings. For Gina and her new family, the DNA Paternity Test was well worth the money.

DNA Testing Laboratory Procedures

By: Larry Borsheim
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Larry Borsheim is a freelance writer with specialized knowledge in chemistry, DNA Testing and Drug Testing. Contact Larry at mailto:dnadrugtest@gmail.com for more information.

There are many common myths about DNA Paternity Tests and most of them are exactly that,  just myths and not the real truth about paternity testing using DNA.

Once upon a time they may have been considered as truth by some people, but fortunately this is no longer the case with most people now having access to the right information.

Regrettably, there are still persistent myths about paternity testing and the fears that some people may have.

Almost all of these are unfounded and completely untrue. Here are ones most frequently observed and why they are most likely completely false.

A Paternity Test is Expensive

This is not necessarily true and especially if you are only wondering about the paternity of a specific child.

Affordable home paternity test kits can permit you to determine the validity of your genetic relationship to a child and confirm parenthood.

The cost of a genetic paternity test can be less than $100, but there are consequences that you should be aware of.

The results of a home paternity test are not considered legally valid in most courts of law involving child support or custody cases.

Also, if there are serious legal issues related to child support or custody, then it may save you money later to consider using the professional DNA testing centers available.

Even if a professionally conducted DNA paternity test costs a few hundred dollars, it may likely be worth it.

Your Privacy May be Violated

In almost every instance of parentage DNA testing conducted by professional labs, privacy is virtually guaranteed.

The only people that could reveal the results would be either the individuals requesting it, or a court of law.

The exception to this involves using a child support agency to assist you in determining fatherhood.

These agencies may be forced by current local laws to selectively provide the DNA test results to those directly involved.

If possible, use private testing services instead, although it is unlikely anyone except concerned parties would ever seek such information.

I Can’t have DNA Testing Now Because I’m Pregnant

As a potential mother, you can seek to have a prenatal paternity test performed during pregnancy, but there are some disadvantages.

It is possible to have amniocentesis performed to collect some fetal cells that could be used in a DNA paternity test.

There are several potential risks involved in this procedure and obviously because it is an invasive prenatal paternity test that can affect the unborn child.

A more advisable strategy would be to wait until the child is born and extract cells from the child’s umbilical cord.

If you can’t wait, at least be aware of the risks involved to your unborn child.

A DNA Paternity Test is Painful

In the past and before DNA testing services became available; only a blood sample would be required. For some, this would have been considered as painful, but in recent years all that is required is a simple swab to collect genetic material from the inside of the cheek.

There is no pain involved and it takes only a few seconds to do this. Likely, the only pain experienced would perhaps be emotional when the paternity test results are received and depend on what you do with that information.

I am Uncertain about the Real Father – How can I Know?

If you have doubts as to identify of the real father and are unable to contact him, you may wish to consider using paternal DNA from either or both grandparents.

Doing so will allow you to confirm whether or not the child is a genetic descendant of them.

This type of test is likely less accurate than using DNA samples from the direct parents, but is still an option you may wish to pursue.

DNA Paternity Testing Labs are Too Far Away

This should not present a problem because in many instances, a home DNA testing kit can be sent to you by mail and the results returned to the same address.

A professional DNA testing facility will likely have sample collection sites across a country.

Even if the assumed father cannot be located, as long as there is a test hair or skin sample available, this may prove to be adequate in validating a genetic paternity test.

All Paternity Test Labs are the Same

This is totally false and you can verify this either by using multiple lab services or simply by reviewing them. It’s much easer to look up each of the potential DNA testing labs than it is to experience the difficulties of actually using each one.

An important consideration when choosing any DNA lab for parental testing is to ensure that they check the results twice. The purpose of this is to rule out false positive results. A result that is considered positive can still actually be false, although the likelihood of this occurring is usually quite low.

Double checking the process and the DNA testing profile virtually guarantees that you are provided with results that are as accurate as possible.

Understanding DNA Testing and Legal Issues

There are various reasons why either a mother or presumed father of a particular child may seek a prenatal paternity test.

Usually, the desire is to confirm or disprove whether there is a genetic DNA relationship between the alleged father and the unborn child.

This may be motivated by potential issues involving child support, legal custody, financial aspects, relationship conflicts, suspicion of an illicit affair and arguably, just simple peace of mind.

How Prenatal Paternity Tests are Performed

Collecting DNA samples from either of the designated potential parents is painless and only involves collecting small amounts of cells from the inner cheeks using swabs.

Extracting samples of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from an unborn child is completely different and obviously invasive in nature.

Presently, there are two methods of initiating a prenatal paternity test. The first involves collecting cells from the placenta and is referred to as Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS).

The second requires performing an amniocentesis which focuses on collecting loose fetal cells, but may also be used to screen for genetic anomalies that may affect the child in the near or later future.

Having amniocentesis performed can be used to determine if the child may genetically inherit any life threatening or debilitating diseases or challenges. There are many women that pursue this, simply because they desire to know if their child will be completely healthy prior to giving birth.

But this should not be considered as an opportunity to request a DNA test for paternity. If that is what is preferred, then be completely honest with your medical practitioners, otherwise they will likely suspect that something is not quite correct.

Prenatal Paternity Test Risks

In either case, these procedures can be performed as early into the pregnancy as 10 weeks, and as late as 24 weeks. As these are invasive procedures, there are always potential medical risks to the unborn child.

In all cases, such procedures must be performed by certified medical practitioners, and prior to considering them, a family Gynecologist and/or Obstetrician should be consulted.

There are some DNA testing companies that claim it is possible to avoid the risks involved with prenatal DNA extraction, simply by taking a sample of the mother’s blood.

Such tests have not yet proven to be scientifically accurate and are not endorsed by laboratories that are AABB certified.

These procedures should not be performed unless absolutely necessary because of the apparent risks to the child, perhaps even the mother and the obvious high costs of involving medical specialists.

A safer and less costly method would be to wait until the child’s birth and collect a blood sample from the umbilical cord.

This is simple and painless and will likely not impact the newborn child or the mother in virtually all instances.

Regardless of the prenatal or post-natal procedure used, the primary purpose is to extract an accurate DNA sample that will be processed by an accredited DNA testing facility.

The laboratory would then proceed to amplify the DNA and analyze these samples for the presence of at least 13 genetic markers.

Also, the lab would likely perform these tests twice in order to produce results that are extremely high in accuracy, with a probability of 99.999 percent.

Prenatal Paternity Testing Suggestions

To repeat, because it is incredibly important, if you absolutely deem it necessary to have a prenatal DNA paternity test performed, it is strongly recommended that you consult with expert medical practitioners that will be performing the procedure as well as a Gynecologist, Obstetrician and your family doctor.

You should also strive to anticipate the medical costs involved and determine if your medical insurance plan will cover any or all expenses. Receiving an unexpected medical bill for thousands of dollars is not what most people would prefer.

It may also be necessary to engage a paternity lawyer if there are possible legal issues.

Lastly, consider what is truly important before proceeding and this should be the health of the child. There may be strong emotions experienced by the mother, the assumed father and other family members regarding paternity, maternity, child support, custody issues and likely others.

These should always be secondary considerations to bringing a healthy child into the world regardless of who the true biological parents are.

Prenatal Testing Methods

Tracing your ancestors and the genealogy of your family has become somewhat easier in recent years due to the advances in DNA testing.

For many people, it is important to establish a lineage of family links and be able to confirm these in any way possible.

Now you have a way to do exactly that, if you are willing to pursue it and deal with both the possible positive and negative consequences.

In the not so distant past, it was necessary to do exhaustive archival research and search through years and even decades or more of historical birth and death records just to determine if a presumed ancestor was exactly that; one of your true ancestors.

And even after discovering such historical family evidence, it was still likely not possible to absolutely confirm that the genetic family relationships accurately reflected what was historically recorded.

Any type of family record with respect to births, deaths and relationships could have been and possibly been altered to conceal one or more potentially dark family secrets.

There was no method available aside from any such historical records that existed until recently. Tracing genealogy using DNA testing is now possible under certain circumstances and conditions.

DNA Testing for Genealogy

If it were possible to obtain DNA samples from any chosen royal family hundreds of years ago, of any chosen domain or country, and to review their genetic profiles, it would likely not be surprising to discover some anomalies.

In other words, a recorded mother or father of a suggested offspring may be historically correct, but only serve as a lie that only DNA testing could disprove.

We can not yet travel back in time to gather DNA samples and use them to prove or disprove any degree of family lineage, whether it is a royal family, or simply your own.

But what can be done is to use recent historical records in addition to attempting to verify genealogy using DNA samples and testing methods to confirm that your family IS truly your family.

With the recent advances in DNA test methods; this has become simpler, at least with respect to potential relatives living now.

For relatives that are present, it would only be necessary to use a simple DNA testing kit to obtain a sample of their genetic material using a simple swap inside their mouth.

For presumed family members that are deceased, this can be substantially more difficult. If you have access to hair samples or any other type of biological material, then this may be sufficient in providing enough DNA material for testing and confirmation of family links.

In the worst case, and which involves forensic discovery, the body of the deceased would have to be exhumed and a reliable DNA tissue sample extracted.

This would not be something that is preferred and at best, not done unless absolutely necessary, and with legal permission from proper authorities.

DNA Family Tracing

You may not be certain whether specific family members are truly related, or have perhaps been adopted with or without your knowledge.

The only way to confirm this is to provide a sample of their DNA and yours and submit these samples to a reputable testing laboratory for analysis.

After engaging a reliable DNA test facility and submitting your samples, you will have to wait several days until the analysis is completed.

You should not be anxious about receiving results too soon. After all, you may have already waited years or perhaps even decades to find out who your true ancestors are.

You should ask yourself about the consequences of having any DNA testing procedures done for your self and assumed related family members.

It may seem just another simple medical procedure, but the results may dramatically affect you and perhaps your family in an emotional manner.

DNA Testing Consequences

Confirmation of DNA identity can have both positive and negative consequences. If it were the case that DNA testing proved without a doubt that your family is exactly that – YOUR family, there would likely be no reason to pursue the issue any further.

However, some family members may want to know why this information was desired in the first place. This is one of the potential issues that you may have to address.

But what happens if the DNA test results reveal that a family member is not genetically related?  This may be a child that you have raised as your own and now you discover that you are not the true parent.

You would have a difficult choice; tell them the truth or say nothing. In either case, it would be at best emotionally painful.

A wise course of action would be to continue to do what you have already done: be there for them and help, no matter what.

Regardless of who the biological parent is, far more important is the relationship that is established between the parent and child. This is what you have done, before knowing what the DNA test results provided, and even after.

Don’t let your ego get in the way of helping your family, even though you may feel this to be almost a need. Do what you can, and in the best way possible to help not just yourself, but your family as well.

DNA Tests for Genealogy and Ancestors

Whether using a home DNA paternity testing kit or deciding to use a DNA test lab for determining child parenthood, there are important differences that you should understand before pursuing either option.

Obviously, a DNA home test is very likely to cost less, but does it provide the results required when compared to using a DNA lab testing facility in determining the parenthood of a child?

There are several advantages and disadvantages to either which you must be aware of before making a final decision.

Certainly, paternity implies fatherhood and this can be established by an accredited testing laboratory using proper DNA genetic testing methods.

Any DNA paternity test must be performed to the legal standards set forth by authorized government regulations.

The results virtually ensure that the assumed father is also the biological father of a child.

Paternity is effectively disproved when the identical methods and standards employed demonstrate that a proposed father can not actually be the true biological father and with an extremely high degree of accuracy.

Lab or Home DNA Test Kit?

In prior years, DNA testing required using a laboratory presence; however, there are now various types of DNA tests presented for home use.

These DNA test kits are available either via online shopping or even direct from your favourite pharmacy. The cost for these home DNA tests can vary, depending on your preferences.

So what’s the difference? Either you buy a DNA testing kit or you engage the services of a reputable laboratory that is certified to perform DNA testing.

If you purchase a paternity testing kit, you are provided with tools for collecting and marking the DNA samples. Afterwards, you submit the results to the testing lab for verification.

Some weeks later, you receive the results that confirm or disprove the parenthood of the child.

If you buy a home kit for DNA testing, submit the results to the designated lab, you will almost certainly discover and confirm the nature of the parental relationship.

But, what you will NOT be able to do is submit these results in any court of law. This is the problem with home paternity DNA test kits.

If you only need to know if you are genetically related to the child in question, then this is your low cost and perhaps best option to pursue.

If perhaps there are child custody issues and substantial financial issues at stakes, it is likely better to adopt a strategy that is bullet-proof with respect to confirming genetic identity and paternity.

This implies that you should consider using a certified DNA paternity testing lab and forgo the home testing kits.

By recognizing the importance of all aspects with respect to collecting DNA samples, delivering them properly, analyzing them and providing certified results, you are likely to receive guaranteed proof in almost all courts of law.

It may cost somewhat more, but the results may definitely be worth it in the long run.

Free DNA Testing Kits

With a minimum of research, you can most likely find a free DNA test online or otherwise.  Most home DNA test kits are essentially the same and easy to use.

A basic and easy to use DNA paternity test kit can cost roughly $200.00.  A low-cost DNA test kit like this is often used for proving paternity to an unbelieving father or perhaps for family members who are only looking for basic confirmation and some peace of mind.

Other in-home DNA tests can include testing for perhaps the mother, assumed father, and obviously the child in question.  It is not necessary that the mother be tested but this is recommended if her DNA samples are available.

DNA paternity testing is effectively so powerful that tests can be conducted even when no mother is available.

There are no age limits with respect to DNA paternity testing.  In the past, it was the case that only newborns over the age of six months could be tested.

But this is definitely no longer the case and it is usually only necessary to extract some umbilical cord blood at birth or use swabs to collect from the cheek cells of an infant.

A DNA paternity test is most likely the most accurate manner of paternity testing possible. If the DNA patterns between the child and the presumed father do not match with respect to two or more DNA probes, then it is virtually without a doubt that the alleged father is 100% excluded and therefore cannot possibly be the biological father of the child.

What to Consider Before having a Paternity Test

Here is a quick video about the proper way to capture DNA samples when using a home DNA testing kit. Regardless of which kit you purchase, certain procedures must be followed to avoid contaminating the DNA sample with that of others, especially when taking swabs from a child’s mouth. This may save future grief in having to resubmit samples that were not properly taken initially.

This video is courtesy of www.assuredna.co.uk, which supplies a reliable home testing kit that is available at larger Boots stores, independant pharmacies online and on the high street. The assuredna test kit is easy to use, safe and with the accuracy of results typically in excess of 99.99%, you and your family can be sure of peace of mind from one of the most trusted names in DNA testing.

Great news for mothers to be and potential fathers! It is now possible to determine DNA paternity during pregnancy and without using any invasive procedures that could harm the baby.

Previously, it was necessary to extract DNA from the fetus that could potentially involve risks and an obviously emotionally painful decision on the part of the mother to judge the value in doing so.

DDC (DNA Diagnostics Center), the largest provider of private DNA paternity and other DNA tests in the United States and around the world, announced today the company’s exclusive license for the first non-invasive prenatal paternity test.

It involves using SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) Microarray Technology, which requires only a simple blood draw from the mother and alleged father. This is a huge leap forward in rendering paternity determination prior to birth virtually painless and with no risk to the child.

Costs have not been indicated but are likely in the same range as a standard DNA paternity test using DNA samples collected from child, mother and potential father. Congratulations DDC!

Learn how the methods and discoveries of human population genetics are applied for personal genealogical reconstruction and anthropological testing.

We will start with a short general review of human genetics and the biology behind this form of DNA testing. We will look at how DNA testing is performed and how samples are processed in our laboratory.

We will also examine examples of personal genealogical results from Family Tree DNA and personal anthropological results from the Genographic Project.

Finally, I will describe the newest project in our laboratory, the DNA Shoah Project. Speaker: Dr. Matt Kaplan, University of Arizona Genetics Core, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Date: March 29, 2011

www.GenealogyDNA.com – Genealogy DNA Testing – Family Finder – Family Tree DNA.

800DNAEXAM.com of BioSynthesis Inc, is a leading provider of paternity tests and many other familial relationship DNA testing services. We provide private and legal DNA tests and other familial relationship DNA analyzes.

Want to know more about DNA testing? David Hartshorne of DNA testing service Orchid Cellmark in Oxfordshire answers some common questions about the DNA testing process and choosing a lab.

Testing for paternity identity using a DNA test involves a series of processes and actions that begin with the individuals seeking confirmation about fatherhood, motherhood and perhaps also their genealogy or sibling relationships.

Before proceeding with any form of certified DNA testing, it is suggested to learn more about the nature of DNA and how it chemically defines relationships among family members and possibly those not previously considered to be so.

Understanding DNA and Family

Once a decision has been made to identify paternity with DNA, either by legal directive or voluntarily using a home DNA kit, the chosen laboratory for testing will require the collection of genetic sampling material from each of the individuals involved.

This is a simple and painless process involving swabbing the cells within the mouth and submitting them for DNA analysis. This procedure may be conducted by a professional on your behalf for a legal based paternity test or individually using a home testing kit.

Collecting DNA Samples

An important aspect to consider prior to engaging in a paternity test is understanding more about what is DNA.

Although not a requirement, many people feel more confident with the sample collection, laboratory testing, analysis and results if they understand what is actually being tested.

DNA or as technically referred to, deoxyribonucleic acid is a chemical molecular signature that distinguishes one individual from another and each human from other forms of life.

Prior to the emergence of easily accessible DNA testing methods, blood tests were used to assist in determining paternity, maternity, genealogy and sibling relationships.

Testing paternity using DNA is now the defacto standard due to the information the analysis can provide and the extremely high degree of accuracy.

What Is DNA?

When voluntarily requesting or submitting to a legally directed DNA test for paternity or even using a home testing DNA kit, the actions required may be quite different.

This is considered as the initial part of the testing process and may vary greatly for each family or individual.

What is likely not different is what occurs after the results are submitted to a certified DNA testing laboratory for analysis.

There are certain common procedures and actions that virtually all test labs must follow.

Once DNA samples have been properly collected from the potential biological parents and delivered to the testing laboratory, a DNA profile must be generated corresponding to each of the individuals submitting a DNA sample.

After the genetic profiles are created, the next step required is to compare these profiles and determine the probability of a DNA match or the possibility of a non-match.

The laboratory will strive to determine to an accuracy approaching virtually 100 percent that the individuals are related or not. It is also important to note that the lab tests are performed twice in order to ensure that the analysis is completely replicatable and not suspect.

Generating DNA Profiles

Comparing DNA Profiles

Pharmacies in the UK have started to sell DNA paternity testing kits over the counter. In the past, such testing could only be arranged through a court order, with the DNA samples taken by a medical professional. Will this opportunity for the general public to buy these tests, in a similar way to being able to purchase home pregnancy testing kits, be in the best interests of the children?