Home Paternal Testing in the UK

12 Aug 2017

Recent years have seen a significant increase in the use of home paternal testing in the UK. For those seeking to do a home paternity test it has never been easier, cheaper or more accurate.

The simplicity of the home testing kits ensures that people can take their samples in the privacy of their own home, post the samples back the same day and then wait for results by email, ensuring that the entire process remains strictly private and confidential.

How does the home paternal test work?

Once you have selected a dna testing company, you will be sent a home paternity test which consists of two surgical swabs and form. A swab is shaped like a cotton bud and must be rubbed on the inside cheek of the mouth to collect cheek cells. This process is repeated on two swabs which are then left to dry in an upright position. Once dry they can be replaced in the return envelope, together with the accompanying form, and posted to the laboratory for analysis.

How accurate is genetic analysis for paternity?

A parental verification test can provide a result that is up to 99.999% accurate. It is imperative that the samples are collected correctly and in keeping with the instructions in the home testing kit. It is also of vital importance that once the samples are taken, they are not contaminated or mixed up in any way. Although a mother’s’ sample is not necessary to provide a result, it is recommended, as it will strengthen the final result of that test.

Why is paternal DNA analysis so popular?

There are many reasons why people opt for a home paternal test. The most obvious is that they want scientific confirmation on the true paternity of their child, performed in the privacy of their own homes. These tests are often referred to as “peace of mind tests” because this is exactly what they provide. Peace of mind to know, once and for all, the true paternal of a child.

If either parent is in any doubt over the paternal of a child, there is now no reason to live with uncertainty and suspicion. A couple of swabs, rubbed on the inside of the mouth, in the privacy of your own home, will now provide an accurate and confidential answer.

Paternal analysis at home vs court admissible testing

It is important to understand that there is no difference between the two tests in the accuracy of the results. The difference between the two tests is in the way the samples are collected. A home paternal test is for peace of mind, and although its results are as accurate as a legal and court admissible test, the results are purely for your benefit. If you think there may be a chance that you need to present these results in a legal court in the future, then you must ensure that the DNA samples are collected in accordance with the law. This means having a doctor or registered nurse collect the DNA samples and be responsible for sending them on to an accredited laboratory for testing. Without this third party involvement and witness to the authenticity of the sampling, a home paternal test will not be admissible in a UK court of law.