Health & Fitness

In order to determine who the father of a child is, many times a DNA paternity test is necessary. The tests are almost 100 percent accurate and testing is done confidentially. A kit can be used in the home; however, in many court cases, a DNA paternity test will be performed by a court-appointed physician.

Why DNA Paternity Tests Are Needed in Court
Unfortunately, there are some men who will avoid taking responsibility for a child by saying that they are not the biological father. In such instances, DNA testing can be court ordered to either prove that the man is or is not the biological parent of the child in question. Since a DNA paternity test is the most accurate type of paternity testing possible, it is highly regarded in a court of law.

An alleged father will be excluded as a biological parent if two or more DNA tests are done where the DNA patterns of the child and man do not match. On the other hand, if the DNA patterns match on every search, then it is 99.9 percent sure that the man is the biological father of the child. Nearly all United States courts will accept a 99 percent proof of paternity.

When having a DNA paternity test done for legal reasons, such as child support issues or for meeting immigration requirements, it is important for the participants to know that results can be admissible in almost all courts of law. Its important to research what your particular state and local government regulations are in order to make sure that your test results will be able to be used as legal documentation. If you simply want to perform the test on your own, there are kits that can be purchased for you to use in your home. These are not likely to be admissible in court, though. If you are trying to obtain child support or fulfill immigration regulations, it is in your best interest to make sure that your DNA paternity test is performed through a facility that is recognized by a court of law.