Paternity Test Results: Some Issues you Might Encounter

The paternity test result may be different from one company to the next but essentially they are all quite similar in terms of the information they gave related to the laboratory analysis and how they reached the conclusion to your test; conclusion being either the alleged tested father is the biological father or the alleged tested father is not the biological father.

In DNA paternity testing, laboratory analysts use a technique known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). They do not analyse the entire DNA sequence but take locations on the DNA molecule known as genetic loci. The genetic loci between the profile of the alleged father and child must show a total match for an inclusion of paternity. The following is important to help you understand your DNA test result.

You might however, have:

A single exclusion: in this case, just one of the genetic loci on the profile of father and child do not match. This mutation is a natural thing and is not a major issue with your results; however, it is worth sending in the mother’s sample just to provide a more accurate results- however, the mother’s sample will not always be necessary depending on the probability inclusion for paternity in your paternity test result.

A double exclusion: this means you will have 2 genetic loci on the DNA profile of the alleged father and child which do not match. This is an issue because the probability of paternity will be pretty low, perhaps 97% or even lower. The alleged father that was tested will be excluded as the biological father. However, such a probability of paternity- which is not high enough to indicate the tested father is the alleged father- would suggest that the alleged father may be related to the child. There is in fact a chance that the tested man may be the uncle of the child which would explain why he shares so much common genetic material with the child tested.

With double exclusions there could also be the issue of a double mutation- but this is very, very rare. Testing additional genetic markers and including the mother’s sample can again provide a more accurate result. Whether you do an at home test or a court ordered paternity test, the result will be the same.

Whichever the case you may encounter rest assured that the above issues are very uncommon and you will get your accurate and reliable Paternity Test Result.