There are many reasons why people may want to use a home paternity test. A home paternity test can be used to establish paternity, establish maternity, complete family trees of grandparents, siblings or establish whether two people are twins.
Types of home paternity tests
Several companies offer home paternity tests and there are a couple different options for ways they can be done, depending on what the test will be used for. If the test is only for general informational purposes, and there aren’t any legal issues involved, some people prefer the anonymity and convenience of taking a DNA swab and sending the sample into a lab and receiving the results in the mail. One preferred method of DNA collection is by taking a buccal swab, where the swab is used to collect a sample from the inside of the cheek. This is obviously much less painful than a blood sample, as the cheeks inside the mouth are rubbed with a long Q-tip. Another version of the home paternity test entails a registered technician coming to a designated place to collect the sample. A third option is to have the parties involved, for example, the mother, father, and child, go to a designated lab site to have the specimen collected.
Can paternity testing be done before a child is born?
With DNA analysis, paternity testing can be done before a child is born, although the procedure has to be done by an OB/GYN. A Chorionic Villus Sample is done around 10-13 weeks, and Amniocentesis can be done from between 14-24 weeks.
Common myths about buccal swabs
Since people have the same DNA in every cell of their body, all sample types give the same results. No sample method is more accurate than another. The results of a buccal swab will not be affected in any way by bacteria, toothpaste, chewing tobacco or other tobacco products, lipstick, food, medication, lifestyle, age, and so on. No fasting is required prior to collection. The buccal sample does not need to be refrigerated and remains useful after years of storage. The DNA tests used for buccal samples are the same as those that are used for blood DNA samples.
A word of caution
In order for the results of home paternity tests to be admissible in a court of law, they must be administered in the presence of a neutral third party. When a DNA or paternity is done in a lab, there usually is no question about the validity of the test or the capabilities of those who oversaw it. However, a home paternity test can be admissible in court only when certain conditions are met. This usually involves the person in question and one of the suspected parties going to a lab to be tested or a trained lab technician visiting the home, lawyer’s office or doctor’s office. These conditions include the use of one unrelated witness, who signs paperwork and observes or takes the DNA sample and pictures of all parties involved.
By Virginia Zignego