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.
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