ExecutiveChronicles | Anything and Everything to Know About Paternity Testing: An Ultimate Guide | Interestingly, more than ten thousand DNA and paternity testing happen annually in Australia. These ten thousand people are ‘curious’ to know whether their kid is biologically theirs or not. It is less than the United States or the UK, near one lakh paternity tests per year. A paternity test has become affordable and accessible recently, which is one factor in increasing this fashion. This article is to spread little light on this process and how it works. Consider this information before going for the test.
DNA in a paternity testing
DNA is like different organs in a human body, like everyone has legs, arms, eyes or mouth. But each person’s DNA is different, like the thumb impression, which makes DNA proof a unique identity. In DNA testing, the DNA of the kid is compared with that of the mother. Commonalities in their samples show that the child belongs to this parent itself. Similarly, father’s samples are tested to seek the matching. If it matches, it means that the kid inherits the DNA from his father.
Two types of DNA testing
There are two types of DNA testing. They are:
1)Legal Testing
Courts will order DNA testing to avoid foolproof. Australian Family Law Act is strict in producing DNA reports for further procedures. The sample will be collected and tracked under the order and supervision of the court in legal testing.
2)Non-Legal Testing
Non-legal DNA testing is an easy process to do in Australia. A mouth swab is enough for this process to be collected using a kit. After collecting the swabs of the kid and the potential dad is sent to a lab for analysis. This paternity test is helpful for only personal information and not for legal procedures.
Is DNA testing an accurate one?
DNA testing is one of the most successful procedures which failed very rarely in its history. It is hundred per cent certain that a male whose DNA does not match with kids is not the father. There is nothing to worry about the accuracy of DNA. To get the most accurate test result, check it during delivery of the newborn or pregnancy.
Flexible procedure to perform at home
The collection of the swabs can be done at home itself, but it can be used for personal purposes only. To make it a matter of legality, have a legal witness during the process. There are paternity kits available online. Buy one or go to the nearest medical centre and get one. Send the swab collected with the help of the equipment to the nearest laboratory, from where the results will be posted and delivered to the father by mail.
A DNA test result does not contain:
The below-mentioned facts are not determined through DNA testing. They are:
1)Age of the participant
2)Race of the participant
3)Anything about Ancestry
4)To find another possible biological relationship of the kid as a grandparent, uncle, aunt, and sibling.
Is it necessary to have consent?
There are many confusions around whether it is essential to consent during DNA testing. The family court of Australia has brought clarity to this hugely contentious issue. It is mandatory to have all parties’ consent in this process in word and the form of an affidavit. The mother, father and child (above 18 years) have to sign the affidavit.
Author’s bio: Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
