The procedure for paternity testing is very simple, but varies, depending on whether it is just an informative test for private use, or for a valid court report that can be presented as expert evidence in a Court of Justice.
Paternity testing for private use
This is administered when the applicant wishes to obtain a report for private use. This paternity test has no legal validity and the report does not contain the names of those involved. Sampling can be performed by the applicant himself through a DIY paternity testing kit.
Procedure for paternity test at home
To begin your paternity test at home, simply purchase a DNA sample collection kit. When you receive the kit you can perform the sampling of each person participating in the test by following the simple steps listed below:
Step 1: Label the swabs. From the kit take out the envelopes containing buccal swabs and use the envelope labelled “Presumed Father” for the parent participating in the test and the one labelled “Child” for the child participating in the test. Label the envelope with the word “Other” appropriately. Complete the information requested on swabs. Be sure to provide information about race as it is required to maintain statistics.
Step 2: Take out a swab from the package, do not touch the tip. Insert the swab inside the mouth and rub firmly forwards, backwards, up and down on the inside of the cheek. It is important to accumulate plenty of cheek cells around the swab. An insufficient sample may require you to take the sample again and will delay the test results.
Step 3: Keep each swab in the respective person’s envelope.
When samples of all participants in the trial have been taken, place envelopes with the swabs back into the collection kit. Complete and sign the Customer Identification Form and place the Sample Collection Kit and the completed form in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Paternity testing for legal use
This is administered when the applicant needs an expert’s report, including the names of all involved and it can be used in a registry or Court. The admissibility of this evidence of paternity in a court is subject to a right-making process, identification and delivery of samples to genetic laboratories. Therefore, this sampling can only be performed by health professionals or legal personnel who identify and guard the samples at all times to ensure its authenticity and integrity.
1. DNA Sampling
In order to perform a paternity test using DNA, only samples of the biological child and alleged father are needed. It is not essential to have a sample from the mother. The easiest way to obtain biological samples directly is to perform a buccal smear, using cotton swabs to collect buccal epithelial cells or saliva. There are other biological samples that could be collected indirectly, such as: cut nails (hands or feet), plucked hairs, and blood or semen samples.
For sampling proceed as follows
Sampling in this case can only be performed by health professionals who will be responsible for identifying them and guarding them until shipment to the laboratory.
For DNA analysis both the alleged father and son must go to the Lab. Applicants must provide the following at the time of sampling: ID card, passport, photocopy of marriage certificate or authorization that justifies legal custody of the child (recommended) – The requirement of documents may vary from nation to nation.
2. Sending DNA samples
The centre arranges for shipping the samples to the lab or if it carries out the test itself it may retain the samples.
3. Performing the test and sending the results
The results of DNA analysis will be ready between 3 and 5 business days. You will receive your report, completely confidential, through the medium of your choice: E-mail, certified mail, airmail or hand delivery.
Parentage testing is very common these days and is widely being resorted to in order to solve paternity cases. It can be used for private or judicial use.