How legal DNA testing work?
Legal DNA testing may be used for any legal or court domestic matter where you must prove or disprove a biological relationship such as paternity, maternity, siblings, grandparents, and avuncular aunt/uncle DNA tests. You may be asking yourself whether you really need legal DNA test results or just informational. In this post, we will explore a few considerations that you may want to think about before making your buying decision.
It’s no secrete that DNA test results can truly change lives. Legal DNA testing can be used to confirm an existing relationship, or potentially introduce someone new like a previously unknown brother or sister. Whatever the case, it’s important to carefully plan and consider what ramifications the results may bring, and if any legal action may be necessary as a result.
Choose an AABB Accredited U.S. Based Lab:
First and foremost, make sure you chose to go with an AABB accredited lab for your testing regardless of doing legal or non-legal testing. Next, know the industry jargon. A legal DNA test, or court admissible DNA testing, is one that will produce a signed and notarized certificate of result, and will have the AABB seal on it. Informational non-legal DNA testing, does not produce a legal document and as such may be used only for personal knowledge.
What is the Difference Between a Legal and Home Test?
First, both legal DNA tests and home DNA tests are performed in the same manner in an AABB accredited lab. That’s is the best reason to only choose a lab that is AABB accredited and located in the USA. The simple difference between a legal and non-legal test, is the process of collecting the DNA samples.
A Legal DNA Test requires that the DNA collection must follow strict chain of custody as set forth by the AABB. Most importantly this means that the DNA collection must be witnessed from beginning to end by a third party not related to the case in a clinic or lawyer’s office if mutually agreed by both parties in some limited case.
Do’s & Don’ts With Legal Tests:
It is important to note that some companies tell you that you can use a friend, co-worker, or even a neighbor to be your witness in legal DNA testing, but if the results or chain of custody is challenged it will not be admissible. All test parties must provide a valid source of ID. This is in contrast to a home test, where no one needs to be present to witness the collection and no IDs are required.
The informational DNA test is the only one that can be done in the privacy of your own home. Simply stated, in a non-legal test you stipulate who the tested parties are Saying “TRUST ME”, but in a legal test, the tested parties present IDs and “a wittiness confirms the actual identity” of the parties.
What can a legal DNA test result be used for?
Many things! Some of the most common uses for the legal document would be to change a birth certificate, probate court, child support, visitations, social security, IRS deductions, insurance benefits or any other legal purpose where the biological relationship must be proved or disproved. Often, people use the results for divorce cases as well; child custody and paternal rights can be gained with a legal test result.
It’s important to consider upfront if you think that you may want to pursue any sort of legal action after you get your test results. If you believe you may need to proceed with a legal action, it’s best to start with the legally-binding DNA test. If you choose to perform a non-legal test first, you cannot go back and change the test type afterwards. You would have to start all over with a new legal DNA test. Another thing to consider, is once someone knows the outcome of the test results, they may or may not want to participate in legal DNA test afterwards.
If you have any questions, simply call or email us for consultations. We actually answer the phone when you call unlike most DNA testing companies. We would be happy to discuss your situation with you and advise which test would be best for you.
Speak directly with a Case Manager at 877-786-9543.
