ABOUT DNA TESTING:

HOW IS PATERNITY TESTING PERFORMED?

Specimens taken from the mother, the child, and the possible father are sent to the laboratory for testing. Some forms of positive identification, such as a driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate, are required from all individuals tested. Each person is photographed as part of the identification procedure and, depending on the legal requirements in that jurisdiction, specimen collection may be performed by simply swabbing the inner facial cheek.

IS THE INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL?

Medical Legal Testing Service will release the test results only to the individual or agency that ordered the paternity test, to an individual designated by the account, or as otherwise required by law. To protect confidentiality, results are not released over the telephone.

HOW DOES PATERNITY TESTING WORK?

Paternity testing is based on genetic information that is passed from biological parents to their children. A child receives one-half of its genetic markers from its mother and one-half from its father. By matching the test results of the mother and child, the laboratory determines which genetic markers the mother has passed to the child. The father must have passed the remaining markers. If the tested man has the required genetic information, it is possible that he is the father of the child. If he does not have the necessary genetic information, he cannot be the child's biological father.

CLICK HERE to find out what do in special cases involving prison, deceased parents, family studies, international locations, and military.

CAN THE TEST SHOW ABSOLUTELY THAT A MAN IS THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER OF A CHILD?

The genetic tests used in paternity are extremely reliable and, if the person tested is not excluded as a possible father of the child, the likelihood of parentage is calculated. The average probability of paternity is 99.9% for cases that have been tested in our labs in which the alleged father is not excluded.

HOW IS PATERNITY TESTING ORDERED?

1. Child Support Enforcement Agencies
The administration of child support enforcement agencies varies from state to state; however, by calling your local social services office, information on contacting the CSE office nearest you can be obtained. The child support enforcement agency will be able to assist those who qualify under state and federal guidelines or provide additional information for those who do not meet those guidelines.

2. Private Attorneys* and/or Physicians
Depending on state law, an attorney or physician may order paternity testing on behalf of parties in a case by calling Medical Legal Testing Service and establishing an account with the parentage testing department. Physicians' clinical accounts are handled separately from parentage testing accounts and may not be used when ordering parentage testing from Medical Legal Testing Service. At the time of account setup, specific information will be given on how to schedule the parties for specimen collection.

3. Individuals Establishing Paternity*
In certain cases, depending on state law, individuals may request paternity testing on themselves by calling 800 456 9913 and speaking to one of Medical Legal Testing Service's customer service representatives.

*You or your attorney should investigate the requirements for ordering paternity tests in your state.