Homeschool Facts

A paternity test is the test that determines the likelihood that a man is the biological father of the child. A paternity test can provide unequivocal results in cases where there is any doubt as to the identity of a child’s father, such as where a mother’s fidelity is in question, or in some legal child support or custody cases.

Generally, a paternity test is conducted through a comprehensive DNA testing and analysis of different enzymes, proteins, and HLA antigens. Paternity testing has three test options available: prenatal testing, viability test, or in-home testing.

Prenatal paternity testing is done when the pregnant mother is still on her 10th through the 13th week or 14th to 24th week of pregnancy, depending on the procedure to be used. This test may be conducted either through amniocentesis or chronic villi sampling (CVS).

In a viability test, preserved samples like hair, body tissues, and blood are being used. This test is commonly used in cases when the alleged father is not present or cannot be found.

If you simply want to know “discretely” who the father of a child is, then a home-conducted paternity test is for you. Do-it-yourself kits use the buccal swab to get the needed material, this swab placed into the mouth and performing a quick swipe of the inside of the cheek. Once the samples have been taken, they are sent to a lab for testing. The DNA material that was collected from the man in question as well as from the baby is then processed in the lab for possible matches. However, it must be kept in mind that the result derived from this process is not admissible in court.

Paternity testing can be used for either personal or legal purposes. Personal paternity tests can be done in cases wherein legal involvement is not required. DNA paternity testing used in legal situations establishes legal proof-of-paternity/non-paternity for a variety of legal applications, including child support and custody cases.

There are two possible result scenarios after taking a paternity test. First would be exclusion, which means that the man is proven not to be the biological father of the child. The second scenario would be inclusion, which means that the man is the biological father of the child.

Being identified as the father of a child can have serious and long lasting effects on the life of a man. So, it is important to weigh all of the potential outcomes of paternity testing before you decide to have it conducted. You can purchase a paternity testing kit online delivered safely and securely right to your front door for privacy.

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