When someone asks for a paternity test, they probably want to know how a legal paternity test works. This article explains how to do a paternity test legally.
Contents 1 How does a paternity test work? 2 Why do a paternity test? 3 Impact on the child of knowing the identity of his father 4 Legal DNA paternity testing 5 Prenatal (non-invasive) paternity testsThe first step in a paternity test is a mouth swab sampling, which will be done by a doctor or sample collector. The alleged father and the child need saliva samples or oral swabs; that of the mother is normally not necessary, because the search for paternity is carried out on a large quantity of DNA markers. Laboratories will arrange an appointment for collection at the request of the Court.
Forensic experts will examine participants' DNA to establish parentage by examining the percentage of common DNA between the alleged father and child as well as DNA fingerprinting. Once this information is analyzed, forensic experts will be able to conclusively determine whether the alleged father and child have enough matching DNA to establish a biological link. Results will be delivered within 5 business days of receipt of participant DNA samples.
A common situation is when the mother has had several sexual partners and the father sincerely doubts that the baby can be his. His opinions may be influenced by impending demands for child support. This often happens when the parents do not live together. In other cases, the biological father of the child wants to be part of the child's life. Sometimes doubts about paternity, which had never been suggested before, will be triggered by other events. It is to answer all these questions that it is necessary to carry out a test. Since child support accounts for 15% of disposable income, along with the additional costs of maintaining a kinship relationship, many men want to be sure they are the biological father before investing their money and their emotions in a child that might not be theirs.
Establishing the biological origin of a child is recognized by psychologists (and judges) as extremely important for the identity of the child. However, before anyone goes down this path, they should fully consider the consequences for all involved, especially the child, of a positive and a negative result. The truth about biological parentage can be comforting but, on the other hand, could be devastating.
Paternity tests that must be produced as evidence in court must be carried out in accordance with the specific instructions of the court, which will appoint a specific accredited company to carry out the tests and provide a report. The samples will be taken by medical professionals who will send them to the testing company.
For a paternity test to be legal, you will need written permission from any adult whose samples are being taken for DNA testing, as taking such a sample without permission is a criminal offence. Only those who have parental responsibility for the child can authorize the use of the child's DNA in the test. To find out how to do a legal paternity test, you can find more information here.
It is also possible to carry out prenatal paternity tests, which make it possible to know who the father is before the child is born. DNA Legal prenatal paternity tests require both the mother and the alleged father to take blood samples.
Prenatal paternity testing can only start after the 9th week of conception because it takes a long time for DNA to be found in the mother's blood. Therefore, blood samples will be required from both the alleged father and the mother. This means that all interested parties can know the biological father several months before the baby is born.
