DNA Paternity Test

Paternity Test Kits

How Reliable Are Home Paternity Test Kits?

While it was once necessary to go to a doctor in order to initiate a paternity test, there are now kits that can be used at home to begin the process. Here are some facts about home paternity test kits, how to use them, and what to expect in the way of results.

These handy DNA test kits come with all the equipment necessary to gather the samples. Swabs are part of paternity test kits, and are used to gather the actual samples of DNA material from each of the three principles involved with the testing.

Swabs to gather samples of DNA material

The swabs are used to gather material from the inside of the cheeks by rubbing the sterile swab around in the mouth, saturating the cotton end of the swab. Samples are obtained from the purported father, the mother, and the child. Each swab is sealed in a separate container, labeled with the name or identifying designation of the donor of the swab, and then sent off to a lab for testing.

Processing Time

Taking the samples for paternity test kits is simple and takes no more than a few moments. Once the samples have been forwarded to a lab, it usually takes three to five days for processing.

During that time, the lab will generally run at least two independent tests of the samples obtained from paternity test kits. The double testing ensures that the process results in results that are between 99.99% and 100% accurate. Once the test results are completed, the lab ships the results with a day or two days.The Paternity test cost is usually less than $200.00 USD.

Are Home Paternity test Kits admissible in court?

While home paternity test kits are a quick and easy means of determining the paternity an infant or child, they are not always admissible in court.

Generally, in order for any type of paternity test to be considered authoritative, it is necessary for the sample to be collected under the direction of a healthcare professional and processed by a lab that can verify the security of the sample and testing throughout the process.

However, paternity test kits are a great way for persons to settle a paternity issue that does not involve the impending situation of legal action. One example would be a female who is more or less certain that the husband or current partner is the father of the newborn child, but does have a small amount of doubt. Rather than going through scheduling an appointment with a doctor, the samples can be collected easily at home and the results will be back in a matter of days.