DNA paternity testing is the use of DNA profiles to determine whether an individual is the biological father of another individual. Paternity testing can be especially important when the rights and duties of the father are in issue and a child’s paternity is in doubt.
Paternity testing cannot be taken lightly. A quick online search gives alarming figures; many articles claim that as many as 30% of men are unknowingly raising another man’s child. This would mean that out of 60 men tested 20 of them are NOT THE FATHER.
ARCpoint Labs of Reading recommends that a certified lab be used to collect and handle your DNA samples. ARCpoint also recommends court-admissible legal testing to everyone requesting a paternity DNA test. Legal DNA testing is often required for court proceedings for child custody or child support cases as well as immigration cases. It’s important to note that in these situations, an at-home DNA kit is not acceptable. At-home DNA testing does not follow a professional chain of custody process that prevents user error, contamination, or tampering. Berks County Courts will not accept the at-home kits results.
A qualified lab will maintain the proper chain of custody by requesting birth certificates or government ID’s as well as taking photos of all test participants. Strict protocol is followed for each participant. The collector uses sterile cotton swabs to collect cells from the inside of each participant’s cheek. The samples will then be sent out over night for processing. Most labs can have the certified results for the participants in less than 1 week.
Important facts…There is NO BLOOD Required. Only cheek swabs are necessary.
By Annmarie Dallao | ARCpoint Labs of Reading | 484-926-2505
