Paternity Testing

Paternity Testing by Liz Lunn

Paternity testing is performed in order to determine whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. The man is usually referred to as the putative father, in other words, the suspected father. Divorce, child custody and child support court cases are the most frequent reasons paternity becomes an issue. However, it can also arise when a woman has had intercourse with more than one man around the time that she would have ovulated or if a man questions the woman's fidelity.

Originally, paternity testing was done by comparing the appearance of the putative father and the child. Did they have the same hair color, identically shaped ears, or perhaps a similar smile? The next generation of paternity tests used blood type matching. This test could only be performed after the baby was born. It was not very accurate. It could rule a man out as the father but it could not definitively identify him as the biological father. While this testing was better than relying on comparing physical characteristics it was far from ideal.

As DNA technology has evolved, the testing process has become easier and more reliable. Testing for a child and putative father can take place after the birth with a simple swab of cheek cells. If the paternity needs to be determined prior to the birth of a baby, then cells must be collected from the unborn baby. In the past this meant an amniocentesis or chorianic villi sample collection. These tests posed risks to both the mother and her child. Now cells from the baby can be collected from the mother's blood.

Paternity testing can now be done from the privacy of your own home. You can order a kit online for free and pay for the testing when you submit it to the lab. Prices vary as does the quality of the lab. If you wish to use an online testing kit, be sure to research the available labs. Some products are acceptable in court as proof of paternity and some are not. If you are not sure that the test you want to order is accepted by your local court, consult with an attorney.

For more information about paternity testing, or other types of DNA testing visit http://www.testing-for-dna.com

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