DNA Paternity Testing Services
What Mistakes can be made in DNA Tests for Paternity?
One of the strengths behind DNA testing is that because of the unique genetic code assigned to all of us the chances of any two people (who are not identical twins) having the same DNA is one in several billion. To date, no such documented cases of similar DNA has been recorded anywhere in the world. However, as with any medical procedure or process that involves human interaction mistakes can be made. When it comes to DNA tests for paternity the mistakes are always on the parts of the process that involve human intervention – such as sample collection and extraction. In this article we'll talk about some of the mistakes that can be made and what can be done to help make sure these don't happen.
The biggest mistake that can be made when doing a DNA test for paternity is improper or falsified sample collection of specimens from which to extract the DNA that are obtained from the subjects being tested. Although extremely rare, it is possible to switch specimens and falsify collection reports during the collection process. Under normal circumstances the collection of DNA samples is usually handled by licensed, trained medical personnel. Samples are collected, labeled and cross-referenced throughout the entire process.
However, mistakes do happen. Barcodes may be put on the wrong specimen, an inattentive laboratory technician may scan the wrong item or a computer error can corrupt or switch records inadvertently. To combat such scenarios many DNA tests are done with more than one sample and results are checked independent of each other. For example, a paternity test being done on a sample from a suspected father is usually performed in such a way that at least two independent tests using two distinct samples is performed. When a match is found further tests are done to isolate through the use of genetic probes more bands from both the child's and the father's DNA to further verify the accuracy of the test.
In situations where it is believed by the court or medical personnel that the samples may not be from the subject in question court orders can be issued such that collect of the samples from the subject is done under highly supervised procedures. This usually involved both law enforcement personnel and medical personnel.
The test itself is one that “cannot lie” when done properly. DNA testing is 99.999% accurate according to statistics released by the American Medical Association. Each individual has their own unique DNA code that is unlike anyone else on earth. Children derive their DNA from a 50/50 mix of chromosomes from bother the biological mother and biological father. For this reason it is easy to identify the biological parents of anyone as long as DNA samples are available from the child, mother and father.
The one extremely rare case that could arise is in the case of unique twins. Unique twins have identical DNA, and are the only known cases where this anomaly exists. In this situation it would be possible for paternity to be established between the wrong twin and the child. However, to date, this type of scenario has never come up in documented paternity cases and remains merely a footnote in most parental testing case study scenarios.
DNA paternity testing is bullet-proof and decisive. It is the silent witness that knows all when others may not be telling the truth. In every court of law in the United States DNA testing is accepted as 100% factual evidence to establish paternity when conducted properly.