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Are All DNA Paternity Tests Equivalent?

NO!

DNA testing is the gold standard for human identity testing, and, by extension, for paternity.  There are many variations of DNA testing being performed by different laboratories.  Some laboratories use antiquated methods and test only a few markers, some as few as 3 or 4 markers.  Statistically, one cannot get a very reliable result from this small number of markers.  Some laboratories use even older methods of blood typing and HLA matching to determine paternity.

The most reliable tests can be obtained from laboratories who test 13 or more marker systems.  These labs use the same technology as does law enforcement agencies for DNA evidence.  Some laboratories that specialize in paternity testing take this one step further and test 15 marker systems plus a marker for gender for a total of 16 marker systems. Since paternity testing is a combination of identifying DNA markers and performing statistical calculations concerning the probability of inheritance of these markers, the more markers present in the test, the more certain the result will be.

Wherever you decide to have your DNA testing performed, ASK ABOUT THE TEST!

You really cannot shop for DNA paternity  tests solely by price.  Consider the customer support services offered by the laboratory.

Cheap tests are often "Cheap Tests".  Good DNA tests cost the laboratory a considerable amount to perform, so you should be wary of prices that are "too good".  Additional services, such as chain of custody for "evidentiary tests" or having someone collect the DNA samples, will also affect the fees.  You should also take into account the amount of support and explanations concerning the tests that the laboratory is willing to offer you.  This is particularly important if you are requesting kinship tests other than paternity (sibling, half-sibling, prenatal paternity, twin zygosity, heteropaternal superfecundation, grandparentage, infidelity, etc.) 

We do not merely perform the testing, we also make sure that the test is appropriate for your needs and make sure you understand the results.  Make sure you get a quote that includes all of the services you need.

Remember, there are important issues and significant personal decisions associated with the results of these tests that can cost a great deal financially, emotionally and in time. 

Make sure you choose a lab on their ability to produce the most accurate test available because so much rides on it.

EXAMPLE CASE

Here is an example to illustrate the importance of using a large number of DNA markers.  This is especially important when the mother is unavailable for testing (also known as "mother absent" or "motherless" paternity test).

• First, a few basic facts

  • AABB and CAP require that there be mismatches at 2 DNA markers systems to declare an "exclusion" of paternity.

  • Suppose a laboratory conducts a paternity test using 10 markers and demonstrates a match at all 10 of those markers.

  • That laboratory would declare a "non-exclusion" of paternity with a confidence level of possibly > 99% indicating a high probability of paternity. 

   

  True enough at this level of resolution, but it may not be the correct result.

• However:

  • If that laboratory had tested 16 markers as we do, they may have found mismatches in 2 or more of the 6 markers that they did not test, thus resulting in an "exclusion" of paternity with 100% confidence. 

   

  This would be the true result.

   

• So What?

  • If a parentage relationship truly exists, all 16 markers would be shared.

  • The accuracy is directly related to the higher probability of identity achieved with the 16 DNA marker test.

  • Very different decisions would be made from these different results. 

    • What is the cost to you of an incorrect result?

     

  • Simply stated, the more markers that are tested, the more accurate the test results.

  • The test is most accurate when the mother is also tested.

  • Certain situations, such as trying to determine parentage when the alleged fathers are related, may be difficult to distinguish at lower resolutions and result in ambiguous results.

To learn more about this, click  here.

Toll-Free:        888 440-IDNA (888 440-4362)

Telephone:      732 695-9552

FAX:                732 695-0554 

        IDNA Systems, Inc.

            3430 Sunset Ave., Suite 21

            Ocean, NJ 07712-3918

            USA

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Copyright © 2008 IDNA Systems, Inc.
Last modified: June 23, 2008