What is DNA Paternity Testing?

DNA testing is much more than just a simple blood type test. When a child is conceived, he or she receives a copy of each gene from the mother and from the father. Thus at every tested DNA marker the child will have a maternal and paternal copy to compare with the tested parents.

DNA Identification is the most precise and definitive method available for determining parentage. Everyone is born with a unique genetic blueprint known as DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid.) Because DNA is passed down from mother and father to child, DNA Identification provides a conclusive way to determine biological relationships. Consequently, DNA typing has become the most accepted method within the legal and child support enforcement communities.

How does the test work?

The test is based upon the principals of inheritance. A child gets one half of his/her genetic makeup from the mother and the other half from the biological father. The test reveals a control batch of genetic markers from all parties. The genetic markers that the child shares with the mother are first located. Then to determine paternity, the child's remaining markers are compared to the alleged father. If the man is indeed the biological father, all of the markers that did not match the mother's, should match his. If all of the child's remaining markers match the alleged father, evidence is provided that he is the biological father of the child.

When the mother is not tested, a larger batch of control markers is revealed from the alleged father and child. If these markers show that the man is contributing half of the genetic makeup of the child, he is given evidence that he is the biological father of the child. If markers are found not to match between the alleged father and child, the man is excluded from being the biological father of the child.

BE CAREFUL! Not all DNA tests are the same!

Through LabXpress® you get state of the art procedure using RFLP with a minimum of 4 Single Locus DNA Probes and a minimum of 5 DNA Probes in motherless cases. This gives you greater reliability than other testing methodology such as PCR with 6 STR markers, HLA or RCA.

Do you know the difference between the percentage quoted and the average number of men that may be the father based on the matching DNA?

Probability vs. Paternity Index

99.0% = 1 out of 100 men
99.9% = 1 out of 1,000 men
99.99% = 1 out of 10,000 men
99.999% = 1 out of 100,000 men

At LabXpress™, our average probability is 99.999%.

Paternity testing will exclude a non-father. If the alleged father is not the biological father of the child, the alleged father will be excluded by the testing. Because the tests performed are exclusionary, no testing procedure can determine, to 100%, who the biological father is. The powerful combination of testing systems used will give a mathematical probability of an average of 99.999%.

Safeguards are taken at each step of the testing to assure accuracy and reliability. At the time specimens are obtained, proof of identity is required and the identified specimens are sealed. A "chain of custody" protocol is followed during transport of the specimen to the laboratory. The laboratory is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) to assure the most accurate test results. All results are cross- checked, verified, and notarized prior to issuing a final report.

As part of the Labs Quality Assurance Program, the lab subscribes to recognized proficiency testing programs and participates in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) proficiency testing program. DNA paternity and identity testing can be used to help resolve cases involving child support, child custody, insurance, immigration, inheritance, Social Security benefits and Native American tribal right.

When do I order a DNA Paternity Test?

Probably the most common reason for DNA tests is to establish paternity by testing a mother, child and man thought to be the biological father. Because properly used DNA tests are so conclusive, paternity disputes can often be resolved without costly courtroom hearings. With the results of appropriate and timely DNA tests, lawyers are able to help clients resolve their paternity disputes in a timelier and less burdensome manner.

What if I can’t test the biological father?

Even when the suspected biological father is not available, paternity can often be established using paternal relatives. If the man is deceased, for example, the presumed father's parents (or other relatives) could be used in his place. Depending on the situation, this might provide a valuable contribution toward obtaining social security for a minor child of a deceased man.

DNA testing can be used to indicate if two children have the same two parents, or if they only have one parent in common. With the increasing use of assisted reproduction, DNA testing can be used to determine if the appropriate genetic donors were used.

What other reasons are there to test DNA Paternity test from LabXpress®?

It is sometimes necessary to establish a biological relationship for immigration purposes. For example, DNA tests can be used to establish (with a high degree of probability) a parent/child relationship between two people.

DNA testing may be the best way to distinguish between identical and fraternal twins. The identical twins would have exactly the same genetic patterns, while fraternal twins would differ in their patterns.

Determination of a biological relationship can play an important part in establishing connections between an adoptee and biological family members, or separated family members. DNA tests may be able to make these connections.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is the DNA obtained?
A: 1) Photo ID required of all adults involved (e.g., a driver's license).
2) A Digital photograph is taken of each party involved, when available.
3) A thumb print is taken of each adult involved.
4) The DNA Paternity Testing Laboratory information sheet is filled out for each person sampled.
5) Buccal (cheek) swabs are collected from all parties.
6) The DNA Paternity Testing Reports are generated in a clear and concise manner. All reports are forwarded to PSI Inc. experienced medical staff and handled in a confidential manner.
7) Written reports of the Paternity Testing results will be provided to the mother, alleged father(s) and/or Attorneys. Consultation regarding the results is also provided. Testing cells from the cheek or from the blood is equally reliable. DNA can also be obtained from a deceased person or a baby before it is born. A baby can be tested at any time after birth.

Q: How old must the child be in order to be tested?
A: The child can be as young as one day old. For prenatal testing, samples can be collected between weeks 10 and 20 by amniocentesis or CVS.

Q: Are the results conclusive?
A: Yes. Guaranteed to be either 0% (exclusion) or over 99.999% proof of paternity, when testing the alleged father, the mother and the child.

Q: Will the results stand-up in court?
A: Yes, our results will stand-up in any court in the country as we use laboratories nationally accredited by AABB - the American Association of Blood Banks.

Q: Is the Buccal (cheek) swab test as accurate as the blood test? A:
Absolutely! All nucleated cells have the exact same DNA. There are numerous advantages to swabs, all at no additional charge.

Q: Can the test participants be drawn at different times?
A: Yes. Samples are united once they arrive in the laboratory provided proper identification information is enclosed. Our laboratory will store DNA from the first samples as long as necessary until the last sample has been received. Once extracted, DNA is stable indefinitely.

Q: How can I be sure my sample has not been switched?
A: When an individual comes in to give a sample, identifying information such as driver's license and social security number are taken. Then the Laboratory requires that the person obtaining the sample take a photo and fingerprints of the individual receiving testing. Then each person that comes in contact with the sample must sign a "chain of custody" form. This process is designed to eliminate doubt that the tested sample is from the correct individual.

Q: Where can I have the test done?
A: LabXpress™ can service anyone throughout the World, through our network of collection sites.

Q: How long does it take to get results?
A: Lab Express has the quickest testing time available, often within 10 working days, or less after all the specimens are received by the lab. If you telephone our laboratory to inquire, we will be able to provide you with the information that your test has been initiated or that your test has been completed.
Q: Are results admissible in court?
A: Yes. The report issued by PSI is a legal document. Our results are always more reliable than the courts require.
Q: How does paternity testing work?
A: DNA testing is much more than just a simple blood type test. When a child is conceived, he or she receives a copy of each gene from the mother and from the father. Thus at every tested DNA marker the child will have a maternal and paternal copy to compare with the tested parents.
Q: What if the mother will not participate in the testing?
A: We can proceed with the alleged father and child for paternity testing but be advised that it may take a little longer to receive results and the probability of paternity may be reduced.
Q: What if the alleged fathers are related?
A: It is important to notify the laboratory when the father in question is biologically related to another potential father (father-son, brother- brother, uncle-nephew, etc.). People who are related have more of their DNA in common with each other than others. In fact, identical twins cannot be distinguished by DNA paternity testing.

Q: Can paternity testing be done prenatally?
A: Yes. An obstetrician can perform a procedure such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) to collect cells from the unborn baby. This can be done as early as 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy. These cells are then used for DNA paternity testing before the child is born. Amniocentesis, for example, uses a thin needle inserted through the woman's belly into the sack of water surrounding the fetus. The procedure takes only a few minutes, nevertheless the pregnant woman will need to consider the small risk of complications associated with the procedure (including miscarriage), as well as the cost of the procedure itself. The attending obstetrician should be contacted, and the procedure discussed in detail before it is undertaken.

Q: What if my baby is nearly due?
A: Blood from the umbilical cord can be collected at delivery and used in DNA paternity testing. This is safe and painless for both mother and child. Speak with the delivery room staff in advance and please be sure to have the appropriate paperwork on-hand at the time of delivery.