Understanding Reasons For Legal Paternity Testing

By Ronald Jackson


DNA testing whether for issues related to discovering ancestry and heritage or legal reasons can often be complex and scary. For, there are companies which are approved to do legal paternity testing and others which are not. As such, it is important to use a reputable firm when seeking out such tests.

When being used in this way, the process involves genetic fingerprinting in order to confirm whether or not biological markers prove the two individuals are related. The most accurate tests rate at ninety-nine percent accuracy and use DNA matching to establish proof that there is a genetic match. Whereas, mothers can now request a maternity test to prove that the individual is the birth mother of a child.

Paternal DNA tests can also provide information as to the likelihood of grandparents having a biological connection to grandchildren. While new DNA tests are often considered the most accurate, there are older methods which are still used to prove biological relationships. These include ABO blood group typing, using leukocyte antigen antigens or by analyzing enzymes and proteins between the two individuals.

Along with DNA, other current tests include polymorphism or RLFP and polymerase chain reaction or PCR. In addition, paternity testing can also take place in the womb while a woman is still pregnant through blood draws and comparisons. While this is the case, DNA tests are still the most advanced and accurate of all such tests.

A number of issues associated with DNA tests can often be complex and at times, misleading. As such, there are different rules in different countries when it comes to these type of tests. For example, in the United States, paternity testing for legal reasons must be provided by a third party with no interest in the outcome of the tests. Whereas, there can be no biological relationship between the employees of the company providing this service and those requesting the tests.

Adoption, biological markers, child support, inheritance, welfare benefits and immigration are often the main reasons an individual seeks DNA tests. As such, the tests need to come from a company licensed to provide such information to a court, judge or other public servant. In order to satisfy custody requirements, all those undergoing tests have to provide positive identification such as a birth certificate, drivers license or social security card. In addition, those providing these tests can have no relation to, or interest in, the outcome.

Lastly, the evidence must be so strong that a judge or other official can be as close to 100% sure as possible that the test results are accurate. In most cases, it is advised that the evidence submitted is stronger than that of DNA found in a number of civil or criminal cases. For, the results must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the two individuals share the same DNA before any legal action such as obtaining child support or filing for adoption of a child can be finalized.

Recently, authorities working in the area of immigration such as France, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have been requesting that immigration petitioners asking for custody and beneficiaries of such requests provide voluntary DNA tests before being reunited. While this is the case, only a few countries have moved forward with processing such request.




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