- How accurate are paternity tests?
These tests are extremely accurate. Using the advanced
technology for paternity testing, if the DNA of an alleged father and child matches, the probability usually exceeds 99.96%
that he is the biological father of the child. Should there be mismatches, the alleged father is 100% excluded from
being the biological father. There are no cases of a 20% chance of being the father. He is either conclusively
shown to be the father, or he is excluded and shown to be 0%.
While blood typing was once used as a tool in determining
parentage, this method is completely inconclusive. Even the most uncommon blood type is shared with at least 10% of the population,
meaning millions of other men are just as likely to be the father. It is inconclusive to use the process of elimination by
blood type because it does not take natural mutation into account.
Our laboratory results are recognized by courts in the U.S.
and most countries, and are routinely 10 to 1,000 times more accurate than what the court requires for proof of parentage.
To ensure a strict chain-of-custody, all parties are positively identified, photographed and fingerprinted when samples are
collected. All DNA samples are stored in a secure facility to ensure accurate, legally defensible results. A notarized
test report will be sent to all tested parties and attorneys if requestesd. In addition, expert testimony services are
available.
It is not difficult at all. At one time, this was a very uncertain, inconvenient and expensive process.
With the advanced technology today, it is a relatively simple process to get a paternity test. Samples can be collected
in a matter of a few minutes. Once the samples are collected, laboratory results can be available in three (3) business
days for a standard test; with NEXT DAY results also available in cases where this is needed.
No, a doctor's order or a court order is not required to have a DNA test. (NY State is the only state which
does require a doctor's order). We routinely coordinate cases with attorney's and/or physicians to assist their
clients and/or patients. If you want us to communicate with any involved relatives, doctors, or attorneys you must authorize
us to do so.
Testing can be done as soon as a baby is born. There are no age restrictions because DNA makeup is set at conception.
Samples can be taken from persons of any age, even post-mortem. The combined technologies are so powerful that the genetic
patterns of a deceased father can be reconstructed from grandparents, siblings or other children.
A buccal swab resembles a Q-tip, only with a longer end.
The collector will typically rub the inside of both cheeks with a different swab, swabbing 10-12 times on the inside of each
cheek.
Yes. Buccal swabs collect cells from the inner cheek which is a much less
invasive method than drawing blood. The test procedure and accuracy is the same for both of these methods. Collection
by buccal mouth swab is the most common collection method and is used in about 85% of the cases which go to trial in
the United States.
You should ask if the laboratory doing the DNA testing is accredited by the American
Association of Blood Banks (AABB). Often, you may find testing being done by a laboratory which is accredited in older
types of testing, but NOT in DNA testing. Another important factor is whether or not the laboratory has provided testing
and testimony in criminal cases, because this requires the most advanced expertise in DNA testing. One final factor
to consider is to ask how many systems they have the capability to test. If you cannot get the answers to these questions
and find someone who can clearly explain the process to you, it can be frustrating.
We offer several options for you to receive your results.
An original notarized report is provided to tested adults. The method of results being delivered will be determined
at the time of collection. Results cannot be provided to ANYONE other than the tested adults, unless a prior written
authorization has been provided. The DNA Parentage Report is a confidential, notarized legal document that has a scientific
description of the genetic patterns. Information is also included that explains the results in everyday language.
Although food consumption will not affect the test, there
could possibly be a residue of food left in the mouth which could contaminate a swab. We suggest that prior to testing,
you rinse out your mouth to make sure it is clean.
Yes. Give us a call if you need testing in different
cities or states and we will work with you to coordinate collections. Appointments will be set up for collections in
the different locations. Cases will be assigned a Case Number and samples are coordinated upon their receipt in
the laboratory. Please call if there is a problem and you need to reschedule your appointment.
We will make arrangements for the collection of your DNA
as soon as possible. The process is very fast and completely safe and painless. We can usually arrange same day
appointments in most areas. Call us at 1-423-239-2487 and we will set up an appointment at your earliest convenience
as soon as possible.
With the advanced technologies, we can deliver the fastest results in the industry. There are a variety of
services with results available within a week from the time samples are received in the laboratory. Urgent testing is
available upon request, and results can be available as soon as 24 hours from receipt.
No, but if she is, the paternity test may take less time and provide for a higher level of certainty. When the mother
participates we are able to subtract her contribution to the child's DNA pattern before comparison to the tested man's.
No, we regularly perform paternity
testing on newborn infants using cheek (buccal) swabs.
We routinely perform a broad spectrum of DNA
and Paternity Test (other than a standard Trio Paternity or Motherless Paternity. Here are some examples:
- Prenatal Paternity Testing is
performed on samples obtained by trained medical personnel using the amniocentesis or CVS (chorionic villis sampling) procedures.
- CVS is usually performed during the 10th to 13th week
of gestation. It is done either transcervically (through the vagina) or transabdominally (using a long needle through
the abdomen).
- Amniocentesis is usually
performed during the 14th to 24th week of gestation. It involves drawing amniotic fluid from the sac surrounding
and protecting the fetus. This fluid contains some viable (live) cells that have been shed by the fetus.
- Both procedures are invasive and thus can only be performed
with the approval of the mother's OB-GYN concerning the performance and risks of this type of procedure to the baby. Our
fees will not include the OB-GYN fee for collecting the prenatal sample. The OB-GYN's fees typically ranges
between $500-$1,500.
- Grandparentage
Testing is an option which is used when an alleged father is unavailable or unwilling and no post-mortem
sample is available. This test can be utilized when both biological parents of the alleged father are available
for testing and there is absolutely no doubt as to his parentage. Samples would be obtained from both paternal grandparents,
the child and the mother of the child.
- Genetic
Reconstruction is used to test the relationship between a child and biological reltatives of the alleged father,
if he is deceased or unavailable for testing. Analysis is a more complicated paternity test because the family relationships
must be determined using fewer and more distantly related individuals, such as the Alleged Father's Siblings (Brothers
and Sisters) (otherwise known as the child's Uncles and Aunts). Two options are available: Option 1
- One Child, One Mother, one Paternal Parent of the Alleged Father and one Full Sibling of the Alleged Father. Option
2 - One Child, One Mother and two Full Siblings of the Alleged Father.
- Post-Mortem Testing makes it possible to perform DNA testing on
a Deceased individual using stored samples such as fresh, refrigerated or frozen blood. Hair from the deceased may be
collected by the medical examiner to be used for testing. In order to do this, the hair must be PLUCKED and must be
7-10 plucked hairs (shed hair will not work). If the date of death is recent, please call us immediately to discuss
the procedures needed in order to prevent the loss of viable, easily obtainable samples.
The actual process of collecting the DNA samples
takes approximately 20-30 minutes for a Mother, Alleged Father & Child. Paternity testing results are typically
available three (3) business days following receipt of all samples in the laboratory. Each adult tested party will be
notified of the results and will obtain an original notarized result. RUSH or NEXT DAY testing is available
at additional cost. Call us at 1-423-239-2487 now for details.
Privacy laws prevent us from giving any kind
of information regarding a case to anyone other than the tested parties and/or their named representatives without
a written authorization.
Paternity testing is not considered to be a
medically necessary procedure; therefore, it is typically not covered by health insurance or Medicaid.
Although blood typing was once used as a tool in determining parentage, this system is completely inconclusive. Even
the most uncommon blood type is shared with at least 10% of the population, meaning millions of other men are just as likely
to be the father. Elimination by blood type is also inconclusive because it does not take natural mutation into account.
