What is a DNA test?

A DNA test analyzes specific genetic markers to determine biological relationships between individuals. It's highly accurate and used for various purposes, including establishing paternity, maternity, and other familial connections.

What is the difference between a "peace of mind" (at-home) test and a legal DNA test?

 * Peace of mind tests: These are for personal knowledge only. Samples are typically collected at home using a kit, and there's no strict "chain of custody" (documented process of sample handling). Results from these tests are generally not admissible in court.

 * Legal DNA tests: These tests are performed with a strict chain of custody, meaning samples are collected by a neutral third party (e.g., medical professional, lab staff) who verifies identification and ensures proper documentation. The results are legally admissible and can be used for court cases, child support, immigration, birth certificate changes, and other legal proceedings. Many state laws and federal agencies (like for immigration) require AABB accreditation for legal DNA tests.
 

How are DNA samples collected?

The most common and least invasive method is a buccal (cheek) swab. This involves gently rubbing a cotton swab on the inside of the cheek to collect cheek cells. Blood samples can also be used, especially for prenatal testing.
 

How accurate are DNA paternity tests?

DNA paternity tests are highly accurate. If the alleged father is the biological father, results typically show a probability of paternity of 99.9% or higher. If he is not the biological father, the test will exclude him with 100% certainty.
 

How accurate are other relationship DNA tests (e.g., siblingship, avuncular, grandparentage)?

While paternity tests provide a near-definitive "yes" or "no" answer, other relationship tests (like sibling, avuncular or grandparentage tests) rely on probability. They determine the statistical likelihood of a biological relationship. For example, a probability above 90% generally strongly suggests a biological relationship. Accuracy can be improved by including known parental DNA samples.

Do I need the mother's consent or sample for a paternity test?

 * Consent: If the alleged father is legally entitled to give consent for the child (e.g., named on birth certificate, married to mother at birth, or has a court order for parental responsibility), the mother's consent may not be required. If unsure, it's best to seek legal advice.

 * Sample: While paternity tests are most accurate when the father, child, and mother are all tested, the mother's DNA sample is not always required to get a conclusive result (either 99+% positive or 0% negative). Including the mother's DNA can improve accuracy by helping to isolate the child's genetic contribution from the alleged father.

How soon can a DNA test be done?

 * After birth: A baby can be DNA tested as soon as they are cleaned up after birth. The cheek swab method requires the baby's mouth to be free from meconium, amniotic fluid, or feeding residue.

 * During pregnancy (prenatal paternity testing): Non-invasive prenatal paternity tests can be performed as early as the 8th week of pregnancy, using a blood sample from the mother and alleged father. More invasive methods like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis can be done by a doctor earlier but carry some risks and require a doctor's consent.

How much do DNA paternity tests cost?

The cost of DNA paternity tests varies.

 * At-home kits can range from $199 plus shipping and tax for paternity, and $379 plus shipping and tax for relationship ( grandparentage, siblingship, avuncular).

 * Legal paternity tests (with chain of custody) cost $319 plus tax. Informational paternity test cost $219 plus tax. Appointments are conducted at the customer's preferred location.

 * Other relationship tests (siblingship, grandparentage, avuncular) cost $399 plus tax for informational, $519 plus tax for legal. Appointments are conducted at the customer's preferred location.

 *  Non Invasive Prenatal cost $1,649 plus tax. Appointments are conducted at the customer's preferred location.

 * Health insurance or Medicaid typically do not cover DNA paternity tests.
 

How long does it take to get DNA test results?

 * Peace of mind tests: Results for at-home tests can often be available within 2-5 business days after the lab receives the samples.

 * Legal tests: Due to the stricter protocols and documentation, legal paternity test results usually take 1-2 weeks.

 * Non Invasive Prenatal tests: Results can take 1-3 weeks.
 

What do DNA test results look like and how are they interpreted?

A paternity test report will typically include:

 * Allele sizes for various DNA markers: This is the DNA profile of each tested individual.

 * Combined Paternity Index (CPI): A statistical calculation based on the genetic markers.

 * Probability of Paternity value: This is the most important number. A result of 0% means the alleged father is not the biological father. A result of 99.99% or higher means the alleged father is likely to be the biological father.

For other relationship tests, the results will typically show a probability percentage indicating the likelihood of the claimed biological relationship.
 

Are DNA test results confidential?

Reputable labs maintain strict confidentiality regarding test results and case information, releasing them only to authorized individuals. Samples and DNA profiles are retained for a period required by accreditation guidelines and then destroyed.
 

What is "chain of custody" and why is it important for legal tests?

Chain of custody is a documented process that tracks the handling of DNA samples from collection to analysis. It ensures that the samples were collected from the correct individuals, were not tampered with, and were processed according to strict protocols. This is crucial for legal admissibility, as it proves the integrity and reliability of the test results.
 

What are AABB accredited facilities? Why are they important?

AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) accreditation signifies that a laboratory meets comprehensive quality standards and follows validated procedures for relationship testing. Many state laws require AABB accreditation for test reports to be used in legal proceedings, and the U.S. federal government requires it for DNA tests used in immigration cases. It ensures the highest level of accuracy, reliability, and legal acceptance.
 

Can DNA tests be used for immigration purposes?

Yes, DNA testing is a tool for verifying biological relationships in immigration cases, especially when other documentation is insufficient. The U.S. government mandates that any DNA test for immigration must be conducted by an AABB-accredited laboratory. All costs are borne by the petitioner/beneficiary.
 

What are some other types of DNA relationship tests?

Beyond paternity and maternity, DNA tests can establish other relationships, including:

 * Siblingship test: Determines if two individuals share one or both biological parents (full or half-siblings).

 * Grandparentage test: Determines if a grandparent is biologically related to a grandchild, often used when the alleged father is unavailable.

 * Avuncular test (Aunt/Uncle test): Determines if an aunt or uncle is biologically related to a niece or nephew, also used when the alleged father is unavailable.

 * Twin Zygosity test: Determines if twins are identical or fraternal.
 

It's important to remember that no relationship test (other than direct parent/child) will provide the same conclusive results as a direct paternity test.