One of our most frequently asked questions is, “How accurate is a DNA test?”. The answer is that it depends. The first requirement of an accurate paternity test is the collection process. There needs to be no cross contamination of samples, and the samples need to be labeled properly. This ensures that the lab processes the appropriate samples.

If the collection is performed properly then DNA test accuracy reaches close to 100%. We can tell you with 100% certainty if you are NOT the father. On the other hand, we can show with greater than 99.999% probability that you ARE the father.

The reason we cannot be 100% certain is that we do not have the DNA sample of every person in the world. Therefore, out of the 16 genetic markers we test, there is a slight chance that someone else could share those markers. However, using other evidence such as the time of conception the result becomes conclusive.

Courts typically accept results which are greater than 95% in child support cases. Keep in mind that identical twins have exactly the same DNA. Therefore, if one of the twins is included as the father in the paternity test, the other twin will be included as well.

DNA testing is the most accurate way to prove biological relationships. The technology is constantly improving, so you can expect the 99.999% to increase to 99.999999% in the near future.

The picture is compliments of Zazzle.

Customers want information to be fast, simple and convenient in today’s high technology society. On September 10, 2009, Boston Paternity launched a new mobile website, specifically designed to provide DNA testing information to individuals using mobile phones.

The mobile paternity test information site offers basic information about paternity testing, immigration DNA testing, and other relationship tests. “Our customers search for DNA testing information everywhere, explained John Quintal, President of Boston Paternity. “At home, work, school, or in their car, our clients can now access DNA testing information from anywhere.”

In celebrating the launch of the new website, Boston Paternity is offering a $50 discount on all DNA tests when customers mention the code located on the mobile website. You can find the code and claim the discount at Boston Paternity’s Mobile DNA Testing Site.

A source from John Edwards camp has reported Edwards may admit paternity of Rielle Hunter’s 18 month old daughter. Hunter worked for Edwards as a videographer during his 2008 presidential campaign.

Edwards has admitted to having an affair with Hunter, but claimed it was impossible he was the father of her child. WRAL.com reports the child’s father is not reported on her birth certificate.

Wade Smith, Edwards’ attorney, has said no statement has been scheduled yet.

It doesn’t make sense to me why Edwards would admit to paternity without a DNA test. It’s possible Edwards may have taken a private paternity test, and the results showed he is the father. We recommend all men with doubts to get a paternity test to gain peace of mind.

Do you think he took a test, or just thinks the child looks like him?

I’ve been doing lots of immigration forum browsing lately trying to get a feel for the common concerns of U.S. citizens who are petitioning relatives. A process which takes anywhere between 6 months and 10 years to complete, obtaining legal permanent residence for a family member can be a daunting task. Financial requirements, filing of forms, and interviews require families to be informed and prepared. Many families are hearing from friends that the USCIS will request a DNA test for immigration between family members. Families wonder if it will happen to them.

USCIS or the Department of State is likely to request a DNA test for immigration when they are suspicious of fraud. Birth certificates, photographs, insurance records and other documentation should be used to prove you and your family member’s biological relationship. There are two main instances where DNA testing is requested, according to immigration attorney Rachel C. Tadmor:

1. When a child’s parents are not married
2. When a birth certificate is issued many years after the child’s birth

Immigration officials will typically look at birth records, school records, and photographs before resorting to DNA testing. If a DNA test is requested, it is important to complete the test as quickly as possible, because processing is stopped until completion.

Rachel Tadmor is an immigration attorney in Worcester, MA. She has extensive experience working with the African community, and our clients highly recommend her.

In an effort to encourage more potential fathers to step forward and care for their children, The Department of Human Services in Mississippi will offer free paternity tests. According to WJTV, the costs of DNA testing and attorney fees will be waived on scheduled days throughout September.

This is huge news considering DNA testing costs between $300-$500 and attorney fees can cost an additional $1000, so this is great news, isn’t it? Yes and no.

The reason DHS is doing this is to obtain more child support revenue from potential fathers. The goal is to get fathers to step forward, take the test, prove paternity, then slap them with a court order to pay child support. I am a firm believer in fathers taking care of their children, but research shows court ordered child support is not the best way to accomplish the objective.

When fathers are forced to pay “x” amount out of each pay check, sometimes having their wages garnished in addition to spousal support, they begin to resent the system. They tend to flee or take the resentment out on the mother who brought them to court in the first place.

On the other hand, if potential fathers find they are in fact the biological father they tend to, in most circumstances, care for the child to the best of their ability. I’m not saying all dads are saints and there is no need for a child support system. I’m saying most fathers will do what they can with what they have. The child support system should be a second choice to working out an amicable solution between mother and father.

So potential dads of Mississippi, you have a choice. You can show up at DHS on a scheduled day in September and have your uncertainties vanish with results of a free DNA test. The results of that free paternity test will come with a court order that is not free. In fact, it will cost you a significant amount of money for the next 18 years or so.

Your other option is to pay $300-$500 out of your pocket for a paternity test that will give you the certainty you need to care for your child. Once you get your certainty, you should come to a good-natured solution with the child’s mother as to how you plan to help support your spawn.

To court, or not to court. That is the question.

DNA testing requires the collection of a sample from which DNA can be extracted, analyzed, and compared if necessary. One of the most common questions asked by our clients is, “How is the sample taken?” The truth is, DNA can be extracted from just about anything someone handles a fair amount. We’ve extracted DNA from cans, bottles, airbags, chewing gum, cigarette butts, razors, handguns, knives, underwear, shirts, and dozens of other items. But the answer we give clients is;

“We’re going to be doing a swab DNA test. Our collector will gently scrape the inside of your cheek with a buccal swab, which looks like a long Q-tip. The collector will collect four swabs for the DNA test.”

The client is either happy that we are not sticking a needle in their arm to draw blood, or concerned that a swab DNA test may not be as accurate as a blood DNA test. Below are 5 benefits of a swab DNA test versus a blood DNA test.

1. Painless Sample Collection – Most people don’t like needles, shots or blood. It hurts a bit. Comparatively, a buccal swab is painless. It feels like a bristleless toothbrush on the inside of your cheek. I’ve already asked the manufacturer to create root beer flavored swabs. They are in the works.
2. Simple Collection – Just about everybody can collect a DNA sample using a swab. In the case of drawing whole blood, the collector must be trained and often certified. This is not the case with a swab DNA test.
3. Easy to Transport – Chances are the DNA test will not be completed in the same building you have your collection done. There are about 40 or so accredited DNA testing laboratories in the U.S., so your DNA sample will need to go to one of those labs for testing. Buccal swabs are much easier to ship than going through the time, hassle, and expense of shipping blood.
4. Widely Available – I mentioned before there are about 40 accredited DNA labs. As far as I know, all of these labs can perform DNA testing on a blood sample. However, I’m willing to bet they would all prefer to test a cheek swab. The reason is that the newest relationship testing machinery is set up for swab DNA tests. It requires more work on the part of the laboratory staff to complete a DNA test using blood, which usually leads to longer turnaround time.
5. Swabs Are As Accurate As Blood – Believe it or not, epithelial cells contain exactly the same DNA as blood cells, making DNA testing <99.9% accurate using either swabs or blood.

This entry is for anyone who has concerns about a swab DNA test. I assure you the results are accurate, and the results will most likely be available in a more timely manner. Not to mention the benefit of the flavored swab!

What flavor would you choose?