Explain more about how the
paternity tests work.
Explain more about test
results.
Explain more about the Home
Test Kit.
Other questions.
Explain more about how the tests work.
How does a DNA parentage test work?
A
child inherits DNA from the mother’s egg (23
chromosomes) and the father’s sperm (also 23
chromosomes). Each parent contributes half of the
child’s DNA. The child (and every person) has 23
pairs of chromosomes. For each location (“locus,”
plural “loci”) in a chromosome pair there is a
specific DNA sequence in each chromosome. A DNA
parentage test works by identifying the specific DNA
sequences for multiple loci in the mother, child,
and father. If the mother and father are the parents
of the child, the two DNA sequences at each locus in
the child’s chromosomes must have been inherited
from each parent. By determining these DNA
sequences, paternity or other familial relationships
can be established. For more information, see
How To Interpret A Parentage
Test Report.
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Where are the tests performed?
You can order a
Home Paternity Test Kit
or
if you prefer call to make an appointment for us to take samples
in any one of our thousands of DNA collection
centers.
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What standards are used to ensure
tests are performed correctly?
We
follow the standards set forth by the American
Association of Blood Banks (AABB) for performing ALL
of our DNA
paternity tests. Because we use 16 genetic markers,
results usually are completely definitive. In the
case of any ambiguities (perhaps caused by a poor
sample), tests are repeated. We offer an
Accuracy Guarantee.
We employ specific
testing procedures to protect against the accidental switching of samples
and to maintain the complete confidentiality of our
customers.
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What is the difference between an
AABB accredited test and an unaccredited test?
Actually, we have devoted a whole page to address
this issue. Please see
About Accredited Tests
for an explanation of accredited vs.
unaccredited tests.
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Is the legally-binding test different
from the informational test?
No.
The DNA tests are exactly the same. The difference
is that legally-binding tests require a witness,
proof of identity, and special chain of custody
procedures. The basic Home Test Kit therefore is not
legally binding. It is intended as a discrete and
private way whereby families can resolve paternity questions
without involving outside parties.
www.paternityUSA.com also
offers a
Court-Admissible Home
Paternity Test Kit
that requires a
disinterested witness to oversee sample collection
and verify identities and chain of custody.
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What is a buccal swab and is it as
accurate as blood?
A
buccal swab is soft and resembles a large Q-Tip. It
is used to collect a sample of cheek cells by simply
rubbing the inside of the cheeks. It is as accurate
as blood, as the DNA is the same. A person should,
however, abstain from drinking coffee for a few
hours before taking a sample, and smokers should
rinse and brush their cheeks with a toothbrush
before swabbing. We ask that you allow the
samples to dry completely to avoid contaminating the
DNA material.
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Can a paternity test be performed
without the mother?
Yes, although the paternity
test results cannot be as conclusive as including
the mother, they are still sufficient to be
acceptable in a court of law. This
is why we offer an
Accuracy Guarantee
for a paternity test with the
mother.
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Why is it better to include a sample
from the mother?
In
a matter as important as paternity, especially
Court-admissible cases, it is never good to leave
room for doubt. Ideally, the mother, child, and
alleged father should be tested. A child receives
half of their DNA from their mother, and the other
half from their father. Because the DNA half that
the child receives from the mother will match the
mother's DNA exactly, the remaining unmatched DNA
will match that of the biological father. Without
the ability to remove the mother's DNA from the
equation, the possibility increases greatly that
results will not be conclusive, which may require
testing of additional genetic markers, thus
extending the time and cost needed to achieve
conclusive results. In general, if the mother is
available for testing she should be included.
Unlike many of our competitors, we do not charge any
additional fees. In any
event, the paternity test can still be performed and
the accuracy of the test results are still
sufficient to be acceptable in a court of law without a sample from the
mother.
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What if I want to test more than one
child or alleged parent?
Additional family
members can be included in the tests for a small
additional fee.
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How old does a child need to be?
A
newborn infant can be tested. Taking a sample with a
buccal swab is painless, and is not traumatic for
the child.
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Explain more about test results.
How
accurate is the DNA paternity test?
DNA
testing is the most accurate method available for
determining paternity. Its power lies in the ability
to trace the pattern of inheritance for separate
regions of the genetic material (chromosomes). From
this information a probability of paternity can be
calculated. This number can reach 99.99999% in some
cases. The percentage of random men of the same race
that can be excluded as the biological father is
also computed for every case.
Some companies test as few as 5-9 chromosomal
locations for the same price (or more) that we
charge for 16 (15 identity markers plus one to
confirm the sex of the person). The statistics
generated with only 5-9 locations, however, are not
nearly as conclusive, and in some cases can result
in wrong conclusions, such as the father being
excluded when, in fact, he is the true father.
Make sure you know how many genetic markers are
being tested before you buy the test, and make sure
the lab you choose if really accredited by The
A.A.B.B.
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What is
your accuracy guarantee?
Click here
to see our accuracy guarantee. We
guarantee such results because of the accuracy of
the test (see previous question) and the standards
we adhere to in the performance of the tests. First,
we are really accredited by the American Association of
Blood Banks (AABB) as a DNA parentage testing
laboratory. Second, we participate in proficiency
testing conducted by the College of American
Pathologists three times per year. Third, our Ph.D.
director and director designee oversee the operation
and personally review and sign all test reports. You
can be assured that our methods and practices adhere
to the strictest standards in the nation.
Make sure you check before you buy!
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How
long does it take to get the paternity test results?
We
provide the paternity test results in 3-5 days from
receipt of samples. A shorter turnaround time can be arranged for an additional
charge.
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How
will I receive my results?
The
test results will always be mailed to you or a
designee, per your instructions.
We
also have a reporting service that will provide your
paternity test results via phone, fax, or e-mail
immediately upon their availability form the
laboratory.
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How do
I interpret the Paternity Test report?
In
the vast majority of cases the results produce an
unequivocal result. The alleged father is either
"excluded" or is "not excluded" as the biological
father. Each of the 15 identity loci are analyzed
separately to calculate a paternity index, and all
the individual indexes are combined to calculate a
"combined paternity index". For more information see
How to Interpret a Parentage Test Report.
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What is
the Combined Paternity Index?
The
Paternity Index is a number that represents the
likelihood of Paternity. The number is calculated
based on how common the genetic information found in
your test result is within your race population. The
Paternity Indices for each genetic locus tested are
used to calculate a Combined Paternity Index which
can result in a 99.999% Probability of Paternity, or
even higher in the case of a true match. As an
example, if the CPI is 9,999,987 it means the odds
of the tested father being the unique biological
father are 9,999,987 to one.
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Can my
results be used in court?
Yes, if you purchase a Court-Admissible
Home legal paternity Test. This
kind of test has additional proof of identity and
chain of custody requirements. A Court-Admissible
Test is available either by having the DNA collected
at one of our
DNA collection facilities or by ordering a
do-it-yourself
Court-Admissible Home Test Kit. We maintain
careful records on every sample processed. Results
from the Genetic Testing Laboratory are admissible
in a court of law.
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Are the
results confidential?
Your results will be held in strictest confidence
and released only to you. Furthermore, the
information obtained from testing the 15 identity
loci relate only to identity, and do not reveal any
additional information of medical relevance.
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What
happens to the test samples (cheek swabs or blood)
after the test?
Our
normal procedure is to retain the samples for six
months in case additional testing approved by the
customer is necessary, and then destroy the samples.
If you wish, however, you may request that we
destroy all samples containing the tested persons'
DNA immediately after completing the test.
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Explain more about the Home Test Kit.
What about blood testing?
IMPORTANT! Contact your physician for the collection
of blood samples for children under 8 years of age.
www.paternityUSA.com offers this option because it is much faster and
easier for you to collect. It is also easier to
analyze, which allows
www.paternityUSA.com to offer this option at a
reduced cost for some tests. The procedure involves
a small lancet that is used to lightly pierce a
finger (most don’t even feel it). A small drop of
blood is then transferred to a collection card –
that’s it.
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Can you send a kit to me discreetly?
We
understand the sensitive nature of paternity tests.
The kit is sent in a plain mailing envelope with
“GTL” and a PO Box as the return address. The
included mailer to be sent back also is addressed
like this.
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Are results from the Home Test Kit
admissible in court?
Although the non-legal
home paternity test Kit and the legal home paternity
test kits are essentially the same test, the
non-legal version may not be used in court because
the persons being tested are not legally being
identified as prescribe by law. The non-legal
test is intended to be as a discrete and
private as possible whereby families can resolve
paternity issues
without involving outside parties and therefore not
court-admissible. We do offer however, a
Court-Admissible Home
Paternity Test Kit
for a small
additional charge of $95.00 dollars.
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How does the Home Test Kit work?
ALL
Home Test Kits contain illustrated instructions and
a consent form to be filled out with information
about each family member providing a sample. Except
for infants and very young children, each person
collects his or her own samples; the collection
process is simple. Buccal sampling takes about 45
minutes for 3 people, with an additional 60-90
minutes for the swabs to dry. Blood sampling takes
about 5 minutes for 3 people. The samples are then
returned to labeled tubes and containers. The
samples, plus the paper forms, are placed in the
included prepaid mailing envelope and sent by mail
back to our laboratory.
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Other questions.
Do I need a court or doctor’s order
for a paternity test?
No, you do not need
such an order to have
www.paternityUSA.com perform a parentage test.
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Why trust your paternity testing issues to some small no name laboratory offering a cheap paternity test at a cheap price, when you can get a "Premium Test" performed at our
A.A.B.B. accredited laboratory. What is the good to save a few dollars,
yet receive FALSE RESULTS? |
