DNA Testing Explained
Why do you need a DNA test?
DNA testing is a conclusive way of establishing whether or not a genetic relationship exists between two or more individuals. If you have been agonising over or preoccupied with the possibility that a person in you life may not be related to you, DNA testing is the most effective way of finding out for certain.
Just because your child does not look like you, does not necessarily mean that they are not your own flesh and blood. Many people become concerned by the fact that physical appearances determine biological connections. This is not always true.
How does the test work?
The paternity testing process involves the analysis of 16 genetic markers, one being the sex gene. As shown below, at each genetic marker the alleged father, mother and child have two numbers; these are what are called alleles. A child inherits 50% of its DNA from its mother and 50% from its father. The child below has alleles 12 and 15 at genetic marker DS01811. They have inherited allele 15 from their mother as shown in red. The alleged father therefore has to have an allele 12 to match up with the child at this genetic location, and he does. The same process is true for the other 14 genetic markers tested. The alleged father will have to share an allele with the child at every genetic location to be proved to be the biological father of the child in question.
ALLEGED FATHER |
MOTHER |
CHILD |
|||||
| DS01811 | 12 |
11 |
15 |
12 |
12 |
15 |
|
If the alleged father and child’s DNA match up the test report will read “the probability of paternity is 99.9%”. If the alleged father and child’s DNA does not match up the test report will read “the probability of paternity is 0%”
For ‘piece of mind’ testing you can collect your own DNA mouth swab samples. For a court admissible test we would require you to have your mouth swab samples collected by a doctor or nurse. At the appointment every person that is providing a sample will need to take two passport-sized photographs of themselves, as well as another form of identification such as a passport or driving licence. If the children of the case do not possess a passport or driving licence they will need to take their birth certificate to the appointment.
We recommend that our clients find a doctor in their local area who will be willing to collect their DNA samples before asking DNA Diagnostics to dispatch a DNA testing kit. We also ask clients to find out the cost of the doctor’s appointment in advance of booking it to ensure there is no confusion over the price at a later date. A doctor will usually charge in the region of £50 to £80. We ask clients to allow five working days for the DNA testing kits to arrive at the doctor’s surgery before securing an appointment to make sure that the kit is there when the client attends the appointment. Once the samples have been collected, we ask that the doctor places the swab envelopes in the pre-paid envelope provided and seal it with the tamper-proof tape enclosed in the DNA testing kit. The doctor should then return the samples to us to perform the DNA testing analysis