Each year, nearly 300,000 paternity tests are performed in the United States. Whatever your reason for getting a paternity test, you’ll want to know how it works and what to expect. Before you schedule an appointment, be sure to familiarize yourself with the testing process so that you’ll feel prepared and calm for what’s to come.

What is Paternity Testing?

A paternity test determines whether or not a man is the biological father of a child. To do this, DNA must be collected from both the father and the child. Most often, a sample is collected from inside the mouth by swabbing a person’s cheek. Each parent passes on half of their DNA to their child. Since the baby’s DNA is a mix of both of their parents, by collecting and comparing the samples of the child and the potential father, the test determines paternity. 

How Long Does it Take?

Your wait time will depend on the specifics of your test. If a cheek test is conducted after the baby is born, the results will be available through a laboratory within 5-10 days. However, if you get a paternity test while the baby is still in the womb— chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis— your wait will be up to 4 weeks. 

What Will the Results Say?

Most paternity tests include a genetic system table, combined paternity index, probability of paternity, and test conclusions. In the genetic system table, particular sections of a possible father’s DNA are compared to specific parts of the child’s sample. A child inherits segments of DNA from parents called alleles. The lengths of the child’s alleles are compared to the father’s to look for a match. The combined paternity index indicates how much more likely it is that the man being tested is the father over a randomly selected man. The results will either say “is excluded as the biological father” or “is not excluded as the biological father.” The former means that the person is not the father, while the latter says he likely is. However, these results are not always definitive, and the allele test is what confirms paternity with more certainty. The probability of paternity and conclusions sections combine the results of the previous sections to give a definitive answer on the paternity of the child, usually in the form of a percentage.

 

EMSI- BiState Professional Services in Chesterfield, MO, has over 30 years of experience in laboratory testing and background screening and is there to help ensure your process straightforward and reliable. Their team of experts provides pre-employment drug testing, ancestry testing, and insurance examinations. By working with their highly professional staff, you’ll feel confident and calm throughout the entire process! Call (636) 537-3200 today or visit their website for information on their range of services.