Justia Lawyer Rating
Justia Lawyer Rating
National Bar Association
Fort Bend County Bar Association
State Bar of Texas
HLA
United States District Court of Southern Texas
Texas Supreme Court
Avvo Reviews Badge
Texas Bar College
Expertise Best Divorce Lawyers in Houston

Understanding DNA Paternity Testing: How It Works and Why It's Important

Understanding DNA Paternity Testing: How It Works and Why It's Important For those looking to take a DNA paternity test, the decision of which method and where to perform the test can be daunting. Fortunately, despite the large selection of options available, as long as the test is processed at a lab accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the accuracy of results won’t dramatically vary between different testing sites and at-home kits.

The test selection will be determined by the intended outcome of the results. If you seek the peace of mind - such as for family planning purposes – tests using saliva or cheek swabs are offered through HomePaternity, an at-home kit provider that processes your samples and sends them off for analysis. On the other hand, if legal acknowledgment is necessary, then a more accurate and reliable certified test must be performed in a hospital or clinic setting.

Paternity Testing While Pregnant

Paternity testing, while a woman is pregnant, is becoming increasingly common, as it can provide peace of mind to expectant parents. Performing the test early ensures that in the event that the paternity of the baby becomes an issue, legal steps can be taken quickly and easily. At most hospitals, chorionic villi sampling can provide a definitive answer in as little as 10-13 weeks into the pregnancy - this involves inserting a needle through either the abdomen or vagina region to draw out a small piece of the placenta from which large amounts of fetal DNA can be analyzed straight away.

Alternatively, taking a sample of the mother’s blood with trace amounts of cell-free fetal DNA present for the examination, this too can provide results regarding paternity. This process is much less invasive than chorionic villi sampling however it may take longer to obtain accurate results due to smaller levels of fetal DNA present in each sample. With modern medical technology, prenatal paternity testing has never been easier and more accessible making early determination possible even before birth.

How Do Paternity Tests Work?

In the process of a paternity test, STR testing is used to determine the likelihood that someone is the child’s father. STR stands for “short tandem repeat” and refers to long regions in the human genome that are composed of repeating segments of two-to-four letters each. Because these regions are prone to mutation, they vary widely in length from person to person, which means each individual has a distinctly unique combination of STR lengths. Thus, when both parent and child undergo this testing their shared DNA (half of which comes from the father) should provide 50% matching results.

To collect this data, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is used on samples taken from each individual undergoing testing. This allows for the amplification of target DNA strands and detection with specialized technology. Once these differences are observed and compared between parent and child, an accuracy rate can be determined and experts can confirm or refute paternity with a high level of confidence.

Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Texas

An experienced family law attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, can help you explain and navigate the entire case process. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Selecting an attorney can be one of the most difficult decisions a person has to make. In what seems like an overwhelming sea of attorneys who do you choose? Are they qualified, compassionate, and are they willing to fight for you without compromising their integrity? When faced with this decision in 2016 I received this and more when I retained Rahlita Thornton as my attorney. Since 2016 she has represented me on several court cases and I've never been disappointed. She is well versed and very knowledgeable on many aspects of the law. Attorney Thornton and her staff work diligently to ensure no stone is left unturned and justice is served. When I was crippled with fear, bullied, and felt like giving up she was my voice. She is highly recommend and I'm truly blessed to have her in my life. TTW
★★★★★
It was a divine power that drove me to call. There are ton of lawyers online but I knew this attorney was the one for me. C.B., Divorce Client
★★★★★
Attention & communication is very good when working with this professional legal team. They are here to help you whenever questions arise and explain details as they go. Thank you for taking the time to accept my case & working with me. P.L.