Top 5 Things You Should Know about DNA Paternity Tests
You may be surprised to learn that many facilities that offer drug testing in Brandon, MS, also conduct paternity testing. As DNA testing has become cheaper, easier, and more accurate, the demand for paternity tests has massively increased. At-home tests are perhaps the most common, but legal paternity tests are sometimes required for certain purposes. It’s worth learning about what you can expect if you’re considering a paternity test.
1. Accuracy
DNA testing is incredibly accurate when it comes to determining paternity. Previously, blood typing was relied upon for identifying paternity. While blood type can rule out a potential parent, it can’t conclusively confirm paternity. Now, a simple and painless mouth swab is all that is needed. A DNA test can confirm with 100% accuracy that a given person isn’t a child’s parent. With DNA testing, a parent may also be confirmed with greater than 99.9% accuracy. Using a DNA test is by far the most reliable way to confirm or eliminate a prospective parent.
2. Legal or Non-Legal vs “Home Kit”
A Home Kit test is sometimes referred to as a “curiosity test.” These paternity tests are quite affordable, but they’re not something you can use in court. After all, chain of custody is an issue and an at-home kit could receive a swab from anyone. There’s no confirmation of who provided the DNA sample. You get what you pay for.
This why legal tests are a bit different. With a legal DNA test, we gather the sample from a person who has been identified. Although the test itself is basically the same, relying on a third party to collect the sample and identifying the person are key steps. It’s worth noting that at-home tests are usually just as accurate as legal tests. The paternity testing process is the same. The gathering of the DNA sample is slightly different. Most important however, is we get results in 2-3 business days versus weeks.
3. Choosing a Lab
There are many labs available, but they’re not all the same. As a general rule, you should confirm that the lab conforms to ISO 17025. This ensures compliance with internationally recognized standards. Additionally, the report should provide you with analysis of all 21 loci. The statistical probability of parentage needs to be listed as well. A simple yes or no result isn’t adequate.
4. Mother’s Sample
Many ask if a sample from the mother needs to be included. With a paternity test, this is only needed in some specific cases. If there’s a gene mutation, using a sample from the mother could certainly improve the accuracy of the testing. Depending upon local laws, you may need to consult the mother or another legal guardian to receive permission for performing the test in the first place. As standard practice, you don’t have to have a DNA sample from the mother.
5. DNA Source
Broadly speaking, DNA from basically any source can be tested. This includes hair, blood, semen, skin cells, or any other genetic material from a subject. For paternity tests, a cheek swab is almost always the preferred way of gathering a DNA sample. It’s easy, painless and reliable. It’s also something you can do yourself in the comfort of your own home.
Both paternity testing and drug testing in Brandon, MS, are frequently offered by the same labs. Luckily, paternity tests tend to be painless, convenient, and accurate. Contact Mobile Drug Screen at (601) 812-8546 for the best prices.