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    Understanding Paternity Test Results

    Tom Johnson
    Tom Johnson - 2019-12-08T22:00:00.000Z

    When it comes to paternity tests, there are a number of reasons why you might opt to have one carried out.

    The key driver, of course, is to ascertain whether a particular man is the biological parent of the child in question, but there are various purposes for which you might want to know this.

    In some instances, those who choose to have a test carried out do so because a child’s paternity or parentage is in doubt; in other instances, it might be because one party needs to establish their rights or prove the father’s legal responsibilities to the child.

    The simplest and most accurate way to do this is by carrying out a paternity test i.e. by using DNA profiles to prove whether or not a child and their assumed father are actually related.

    How to read paternity test results

    Once you’ve decided that a paternity test is the right choice for you and any other parties involved, you can have this performed either in utero (through a blood sample taken from the fetus during pregnancy) or via a simple cheek swab.

    The latter collects something known as buccal cells, which can be compared between the two samples in order to determine parentage.

    These samples must then be sent off to a laboratory, where paternity can be proven with an incredible 99.99 percent accuracy.

    Once the results are known, they can be forwarded on to the individuals involved.

    While this process is highly complex, online results are often made available very quickly, with some arriving as little as one or two days after the lab in question receives them.

    This is, naturally, a highly fraught time for many, which is why most recipients want to ensure they have a complete and comprehensive understanding of what their results actually mean.

    You’ll most likely find that your rest report contains a number of scientific terms, as well as legal jargon that can be equally confusing for most people. The sections likely to be included are:

    • A genetic system table
    • A combined paternity index
    • A probability of paternity
    • Test conclusions

    We’ll look at each of these in a little more detail below.

    The genetic system table

    Laboratories that offer paternity tests will typically look at at least 20 different DNA locations in order to reach a conclusion.

    What a genetic system table does is compare the data found at each of these loci with that of the other tested party - aka the child whose paternity needs proving.

    At least one of the two figures in the child’s column should match with one of the two figures shown for the father in cases where they’re related.

    The combined paternity index

    The results you receive will additionally include a combined paternity index, which is represented by a number.

    This is only generated in cases where the alleged father is considered to be the biological parent and relates to how much more likely the man in question is to be the child's father than another man from a similar ethnic background.

    The higher the number, the stronger the genetic similarities between parent and child.

    A probability of paternity

    The probability of paternity is exactly what it says on the tin: how likely the man is to be the child’s biological father.

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    Test conclusions

    Last but not least, a test conclusion should be included in your report.

    This essentially explains the results in layman’s terms, by stating whether the man tested has or has not been excluded as the biological father.

    Can paternity test results be wrong?

    In some instances, potential fathers find it difficult to believe the outcome of their test, leading them to question its accuracy.

    However, all samples go through a rigorous process, which involves being checked numerous times before a report is generated in order to eliminate any likelihood of human error interfering with the result.

    What this means is that, in instances where a man is eliminated, there is zero probability that they are the biological father, and, in cases where they are not ruled out, the chance of parentage is an incredible 99.99 percent.

    When it comes to issues of paternity, emotions often run high, and there can be huge consequences whichever way the result goes, meaning those involved want to have the best possible understanding of the outcome of their test when it arrives.

    This article should hopefully clear up any confusion you might have but, should you require further clarification, please do feel free to contact us. Our friendly and helpful team are happy to assist with any questions or queries you might have.