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.

Paternity testing is done by DNA paternity test analysis of the three individuals, although older methods have included ABO blood group typing, analysis of various other proteins and enzymes, or using HLA antigens. Prenatal paternity testing, viability test, and in-home testing are the test options available in undergoing a paternity test.

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).

Viability test uses remarkable samples to check for the DNA. This is commonly used when the alleged father is not present or cannot be found. In this process, preserved samples like hair, body tissues, and blood are being used.

As its name implies, the in-home testing is done within the comforts of one’s home. This type of paternity testing would include the mother, child and the potential father. In this test, a simple swab of the cheek is used to collect DNA samples, the procedure is painless and requires a minimal amount of time spent at the collection site. Loose cells immediately adhere to the swab, which is later tested for DNA comparison in the laboratory. At-home tests can be inconclusive and may not be admissible in a court of law.

A paternity test can be conducted for either personal or legal purposes. For personal paternity tests, the people involved can do the collection of samples themselves and simply send the DNA samples to the paternity test lab for processing. On the other hand, legal paternity tests require a detailed documentation to be admissible in court.

There can only be two outcomes in DNA paternity testing. The first is a “no-match scenario”, known as exclusion where the possibility of the individual being the biological father of the child is eliminated. The second is a “match” scenario, wherein there is a degree of certainty associated with the likelihood that the alleged male 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.