There are a number of ways that a paternity test can be performed, but one of the most common and cheapest ways is through a buccal sample. Many people think this is a saliva sample, because a swab in rubbed on the inside of the cheek of the child and the alleged father. This is to collect blood cells that are found in the cheek, and the samples are studied to determine whether or not they match. The procedure is very easy to perform, and usually does not require that the mother of the child is present, although for some paternity testing, the mother is required to submit a buccal sample as well to increase the accuracy of the results. For this type of DNA legal paternity testing, you can order your kit online or over the phone, perform the test at home, and even check the results yourself, although you’ll to take them to a doctor for verification. You will receive medical documents that will legally prove the paternity of the child.
If you want to perform DNA legal paternity testing that is a little more secure, or if you want to determine the paternity of the baby before it is delivered, you can visit your OB/GYN to inquire about one of two paternity tests.
The first and most common of the two tests is amniocentesis. This is a procedure usually performed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy in which the doctor will insert a tube into the mother’s abdomen to extract amniotic fluid from the surrounding area of the fetus. The fluid will then be studied to determine the paternity of the baby before it is even fully developed. The second method of testing is Chorionic Villus sampling. For this procedure, a suction tube called a catheter is placed on the uterus and cervix of the mother to obtain cells from the surface of the placenta. Chorionic Villus sampling can be performed much earlier in the pregnancy than amniocentesis, and, in addition to revealing the baby’s paternity; this test can also detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus.
Of course, one of the reasons that people use DNA legal paternity testing is to make certain policies, such as paying child support, effective, or to determine how property or finances should be distributed amongst family members as stated in a will. DNA legal paternity testing is necessary for either of these situations, since you will not be able to prove your case without documents from a physician. People also take paternity tests to determine their ethnicity if they are not sure; many people have used this method to determine whether or not they are of Native American heritage and have the right to reside on a reservation or receive governmental benefits.
If you have questions about DNA legal paternity testing, or want to know which testing method is right for you, talk to your doctor, especially if you are pregnant. If you are using a paternity test in which you can mail the results in, be sure to check on the legitimacy of the company, so that you won’t waste your money. And be sure to keep all your documents, and to make copies of everything that you submit to anyone.
One of the testing methods listed above is sure to give you the answers you’re looking for—whether you need verification while your baby is still in the fetal state, or if you’re looking for paternity answers much later in life. Good luck!
By Tamiya King