Have you ever wondered why DNA tests are often a requirement in child maintenance cases? This is because a reliable DNA test is the scientific method that can most accurately establish a biological relationship between two or more people.
Paternity DNA tests are able to identify the biological relationship between a child and the presumed father through scientific methods that analyse specific DNA markers present in the DNA sample provided by the family members. Because a child inherits DNA from both parents, through testing, it is possible to identify which half belonged to the father and which half belonged to the mother.
If the man being tested is the biological father of the child, then scientists will be able to recognise identical sections of DNA at each marker. However, if he is not the child’s biological father, there would be significant differences in the DNA.
HomeDNADirect offers both home paternity tests and legal paternity tests. Home paternity tests are often selected by those who prefer ease and convenience. While home paternity tests yield accurate results, a legal paternity test is required in the case of a child maintenance service.
Legal paternity tests are done in the presence of a third party sample collector like a doctor. The results of a legal paternity test are legally defensible and can stand as a piece of evidence in a legal case such as those concerning disputes, contested paternity, child custody cases, and even immigration cases.
Unlike home paternity tests, legal DNA paternity tests are performed under a specific set of instructions known as chain of custody. The DNA sample provided by the person in question should not leave the custody of the people responsible. This is to confirm the identity of the person providing the DNA sample as well as to ensure the authenticity of the test results.
For legal situations such as child maintenance service cases, it is crucial to choose to have the DNA test performed by an ISO17025 accredited laboratory with extensive experience.
Related Articles:
- The legal paternity test: What is it?
- DNA Paternity Testing Myths
- Know How to Interpret Your Paternity Test Result