Home Paternity Test

Protect yourself

Government agencies are only recently starting to investigate the abundance of genetic or DNA home-test kits available on the market. In addition, the media is slowly noticing. It likely won’t be long before some major laboratories are profiled in documentaries as well as investigative magazines and newspapers.

In the meantime, it is important that you thoroughly check out the laboratory before you purchase your test kit:

·Be sure it is, at a minimum, an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) accredited laboratory.

·Call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been registered.

·Investigate them on the internet to see if any lawsuits or complaints have been launched.

·Research the name of the lab to see if there are warnings or notices of inaccurate testing.

·Check out the articles or announcements of local government agencies, such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

·Read both old and recent news reports to determine if there is a negative history for the laboratory you are considering.

It is important to be sure that the lab you select is reputable and provides accurate results.

Who’s the Daddy?

For people seeking resolution to the question “who is the father?” a DNA paternity home-test kit is an affordable and quick way to resolve the question. It is a painless procedure that usually involves taking a tissue sample (via a cheek-swab) from the mother, alleged father and child.

It is not always necessary to have the mother tested, but the test is usually more expensive when a trio of samples (mom, alleged dad and child) is not available. A motherless paternity test may cost more and may take longer. A typical test involves matching the mother’s DNA to that of the child’s so that it can be removed from further analysis. In other words, the experts can then focus on the DNA sample of the alleged father to see if it matches the other half of the child’s DNA. When only the alleged father’s and child’s tissue samples are available, a more extensive testing procedure is necessary.

A Simple Process

Once you choose a laboratory and order your home-test kit, the process is fairly simple. If you’re concerned about what to do with your kit, some websites include a short video to show you what to do.

The home-test kits and instructions are fairly universal, so don’t be worried about watching a video from a different lab. It will give you an idea of what the home-test kit looks like and how to use it.

The instructions are fairly straightforward and the video may not be necessary. If you need help, most labs also have a FAQ page on their websites as well as 1-800 numbers. After you’ve placed your order and made a deposit or payment in full, the following process will ensue:

· A test kit will be sent to the parties to be tested (usually mom, alleged dad and child) with all the supplies necessary to perform the cheek swab.

· You will receive a return delivery package with your home testing kit.

· After you take the tissue sample, pack up the swabs (tissue samples) as instructed and send them back to the laboratory.

· Be sure you know all the Costs involved ahead of time. You won’t get results until the lab has been paid in full.

· Results, or reporting time, will be between 3 business days and a few weeks.

If you feel you might require legal support, do not use a home-test kit. They are not legally binding and the results are not acceptable in a court of law. If you need to perform a DNA paternity test for legal purposes, be sure to use an ISO (International Standards Organization) accredited lab that is recognized within your country’s legal system.