What are Forensic DNA Tests?

What is Forensic DNA Testing?

Forensics comes form an old Latin word, ‘forensis’ or forum. Today, it has taken slant as far as medical issues like DNA is concerned. Forensics refers to the use of DNA in proving a case in court.

If you have watched the CSI series on TV, then you are adequately informed that it is possible to use a person’s DNA to prove innocence or guilt. Every person’s DNA is unique and cannot be replicated. It is similar to a fingerprint except today, fingerprints can be erased or changed, artificially or through tampering with your finger profile.

A DNA is a miniscule piece of tissue about 1/ millionth inch and can be found in a person’s body and cell tissue. You can think of DNA as a building block upon which are bodies are built. The chances of finding a person with the exact DNA as yourself would 1  for every 300 million.

When the concept of using DNA to identify a person without doubt, it became the main focal point in solving a lot of court cases and crime. Forensic DNA however has its limitations.

DNA testing is not as easy as 1-2-3. Not all countries have the facilities to test DNA, and even if they do, the time frame for getting the results of a DNA test is not immediate. Generally, it takes more than a couple of weeks before the results are known. Thus, the scenes you see in TV where the DNA test results come in minutes is not accurate.

The process of DNA testing means that you have to have two samples to compare with. In forensic DNA, the two sample would be that evidence from a crime scene and the other from the suspect. Evidence could be hair, saliva, blood, skin tissue, semen, vaginal fluid, or nail clippings. If the two samples match, then you have proof that the suspect was in the scene of the crime.

Forensic DNA test can also be used to prove who the parents of a child are, or who two people are siblings or related through blood samples. The beauty of forensic DNA test is as long as the sample from the crime scene is preserved, a criminal can be caught many years after the fact.

Today, many people who have been sentenced wrongly are able to pursue their case through DNA testing. In fact, hundreds of people wrongly accused and judged are finally finding ways to clearing their names and being freed from prison.

Types of DNA Paternity Testing for Genealogy

If you’re considering having your child tested to see if you’re the father, or to establish who the father is, you’re probably wondering how the tests are done. Even if the child isn’t born yet, there are ways to determine who the father is by using DNA paternity testing for genealogy.

Before birth, doctors can do a procedure called amniocentesis to determine the father of the baby. This test requires a small sample of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac. There are risks with this method, but hundreds of these procedures are done on a daily basis with no problem. Another method before birth involves taking a sample of the fetal genetic material and using that to determine who the father is.  With this method, physicians will go through the cervix and extract a small amount of cells from the bottom of the amniotic sac. This is typically done at about five weeks into the pregnancy while amniotic fluid testing is done later in the pregnancy.

After birth, a DNA paternity testing for genealogy sample can be taken from the inside of a child’s cheek, his or her urine, or his or her blood. This is then compared with DNA from both parents to determine who the biological father is. There are numerous benefits to having a paternity test done – from medical reasons to custody and child support issues. In addition to all of this, when a child becomes an adult, he or she will want to know who their biological father is, and will appreciate it if you’re able to tell them. 

Advice for Choosing a Great DNA Paternity Testing Laboratory

Hundreds of thousands of paternity tests are done in the US each year. The most reliable source of paternity testing is DNA, and in order to have your child’s DNA tested against that of the potential father, you’ll need to visit a laboratory. Below are some great tips on how to choose a laboratory.

Visit the website of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). This association provides accreditation for certain laboratories that pass their rigorous testing. You should know that less than half the labs tested receive the accreditation; testament to the kind of procedures this association goes through to test. The website can refer you to a lab in your area that has been given the accreditation.

Research any laboratory you’re considering, and spend a good amount of time reading up on the history of the lab, any legal complications the lab might have gone through, and any other relevant information. You might then consider calling a customer service representative from the labs you’re considering. It’s important to use your gut feeling to determine which lab would suit you best, and speaking to a representative will allow you to get a first impression.

If you know anyone who has used a lab for DNA testing in the past, you can ask them for recommendations. This is a good way to get inside information on how the lab works and conducts business. Using these tips, you can find a laboratory to help you determine the paternity of your child.

Dads: Taking Paternity Leave When Baby is Due

Mothers often take maternity leave just before they’re expected to give birth. Maternity leave gives mothers the chance to recover from birth, and enjoy their brand new babies before they have to return to work. Most people aren’t aware that employers are required by law to give expectant fathers paternity leave.

Paternity leave is outlined in the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA.) While employers aren’t required to pay expectant fathers any money during their leave, they are required to allow the father to return to his original position. The father must also retain his original rate of pay, bonuses, benefits, and anything else that went with his job before he took paternity leave.

Paternity leave is a wonderful chance for fathers to help their wives or girlfriends with the brand new baby, and to form a special bond with their child. From waking up in the middle of the night for a feeding to helping Mom get the house in order, paternity leave gives fathers the perfect opportunity to really be there for their families. It’s important that you speak to your employer and let him or her know the expected due date. Also, let them know if you plan on taking paternity leave.

By keeping your employer informed, you can let them know that you are aware that they must offer paternity leave, and that you fully intend on taking that paternity leave. If you’re refused, you may have the right to seek compensation from your employer.

Types of Paternity Tests

Establishing paternity is extremely important. Not only will knowing your child’s father 100% help you establish child support and other benefits for your child, but it will help you hold your child’s father responsible for other situations as well. Below are the types of paternity tests.

DNA Testing

DNA is the most popular form of paternity tests. These tests can be done before the child is born or after. Before the child is born, there are a few different tests. A sampling of the fetal genetic material can be taken through the cervix at around five weeks of pregnancy and used to determine who the child’s father is. Later in the pregnancy, a physician can take a sample of amniotic fluid to determine who the father is. These tests are invasive and pose risks, so it’s better to wait until after the child is born.

After the child is born, a sample can be collected by swabbing the child’s cheek with a buccal swab. The DNA present will be compared to the DNA of the father and the mother. This test can tell who the father is with more than 99% accuracy.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can also generally tell who the child’s biological father is, although it’s not thought to be as conclusive as DNA testing. The type of blood and the antigens determine whether the child belongs to a particular man or not. There are many benefits to establishing paternity and with at-home paternity tests, it is much less expensive than it was in the past.

Non Invasive Paternity Testing

Looking for non invasive paternity testing? Aside from an amniocentesis and chorionic villus test, there is another test that is can be used to establish the paternity of a child. This is the umbilical cord test. It’s known as cordocentesis. This can be done at 18 weeks of pregnancy.

The physician will use a camera to determine where the fetus’s umbilical cord enters the amniotic sac. Using a needle, the physician will find the correct spot and then extract a very small amount of the fetal cord blood. This blood is then tested and compared to the potential father’s DNA.

This non invasive paternity test does come with some risks, as do any other invasive tests. However, you should know that it’s a test that is done very regularly with minimal problems. It’s important to speak with your doctor to determine the risks and to determine whether you’re healthy enough to undergo this kind of testing. You can also discuss other options and together, determine which is the best test for you and your unique situation.

Some of the risks of having the baby’s cord blood tested for paternity include premature membrane rupture, bleeding, infection, and a lower fetal heart rate. Whether you decide to go ahead with this procedure or wait until the baby is born to establish paternity, it is important to find out for sure who the baby’s biological father is.

Not only will this provide you with important information regarding the baby’s medical history, but it will help you with legal issues like child support and custody. 

Establishing DNA Paternity Test Results

You might have a dozen different arguments against establishing paternity. For instance, you might not need or want the child support that you could legally force your child’s biological father to pay. He may not want custody, so there may not be a need to establish paternity for that reason. However, you should consider establishing paternity for your child’s benefit. After all, there is nothing like establishing DNA paternity test results and knowing hands down the real deal about your child's paternity. Here's some tips:

At the Doctor

Your child’s doctor will want to know your child’s full medical history – that includes the history from your side of the family and the paternal side of the family. This information can become invaluable if anything should happen and your child would need a major medical procedure. This is one of the reasons for establishing paternity that can truly benefit your child.

In the Future

We all want to know where we came from and who our parents are. Even if you have a partner that your child thinks of as his or her father it’s important for your child to know who their actual biological father is. As the child ages, he or she will begin to ask questions and it’s important that you’re able to answer those questions for him or her. Even if the biological father isn’t in the child’s life as the child grows, he may want to be there down the road. That’s when it will be up to your child to decide, and knowing the truth will help him or her make that decision more easily.