I’ve written before about the possibility of someone “cheating” on a Paternity Test. Here is another viewpoint from the Documents for Divorce blog.
“Due to the nature of collecting the samples, the legal test of course provides an almost cheat proof system if a neutral and qualified third party witness is used. However for the home DNA test, since the parties are responsible for collecting their own samples, this gives rise to the opportunity to cheat on the test. This can be done by submitting someone else’s sample which will inevitably lead to a negative result. This possibility has led some to question the reliability of the at-home tests.”
Author Kevin Camilleri says that in his experience most paternity test participants honestly just want to know the truth. This is our experience as well.
“From a scientific point of view, the accuracy of these tests is now almost a given. When the father, mother and child participate in the paternity test, a properly accredited and experienced DNA testing laboratory will provide a probability of paternity in excess of 99.999% thereby confirming the biological relationship, or alternatively issue a probability of paternity of 0%, thereby confirming with 100% accuracy the exclusion of the alleged father.”
He goes on to make a point that in the rare instance that someone has tried to “cheat” a paternity test, their efforts are easily noticed by the lab and new, uncontaminated samples are acquired.
If you are suspicious that your partner might try and cheat on a test taking a couple precautions in advance can save you the hassle of submitting new samples.
- Collect the samples will all test participants present at the same time, seal and mail the samples to the lab your self.
- Have the sample collection performed by a neutral third party (like a doctor or an attorney, or even an employer). Have the third party seal and mail the samples to the lab.
- Obtain a “Legal Paternity Test”. With this test the collection of the samples is done in a strict chain-of-custody procedure that will allow the results to be admissible in court.
For more information on legal paternity testing, visit our Help Center.
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Steven says
How about the possibility of. The prothanatist and Mother leave the collection sight together go and take the alleged father’s swab rub it together with the child’s swab. And then collect a 4th straight DNA from the child’s mouth. Meaning one mixed DNA swab is the alleged father’s. One straight DNA child’s. And one straight DNA the mother’s. Woola you get a cheated match.
Karl Olaes says
Amazing Dude, this is really nice information, much appreciated.
Kate says
You are very welcome!
Patrick Boelk says
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michelle says
right i kno this woman who swabbed her own mouth instead of her baby and the pertential father has swabbed his mouth so how will the result come back ?
Identigene says
Hi, Michelle. It would come back as a 0% probability of relationship, since the woman and the potential father do not share a father/child relationship.
Nancy says
What if the mother knows who the father is but prefers one man over the other and switches the names on the swab samples. Can this occur?
Identigene says
Hi, Nancy. The lab has no control over whose samples are submitted for at-home testing. Submitting the correct samples is a responsibility borne entirely by the customer. This is why at-home testing results are not allowed in court because, technically, people can “cheat.” However, for a legal paternity test, that type of fraud is not possible, since DNA collection and submission to the lab are witnessed at an approved facility.
Lisa says
What if the father swabs his mouth then haves someone swab their mouth twice will it still read accurately
Identigene says
Hi, Lisa. Your question is unclear to me. Are you asking if a man swabs his mouth and then someone else swabs on top of his sample using the same swab? If there are two DNA profiles on a swab, the lab will pick it up immediately and ask for new samples without doing the analysis and releasing results.
Lory says
What if you swab possible father mouth twice instead of the baby what will the results be ?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Lory. The swabs that are supposed to be for the baby will show the alleged father’s profile; testing would be suspended, and no results would be issued until new samples are submitted.
Kim says
If suspected father can not be swabbed can you use his relative to get results?
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Kim. Yes, the best option is to do a grandparentage test wherein the alleged father’s grandparent(s) is/are tested with the child + the mom. Learn more here: https://dnatesting.com/paternity-testing-without-the-father/
phumelele says
hey so i hav a questio
is it possible for the allerged father to match with 13 makers out of 15 and be not father
HomeDNA Identigene says
Hi, Phumelele. Yes, in fact, that’s very common. An alleged father can match 14 out of 15 and not be the father. Different humans can share a lot of the same DNA. In fact, you and I might match at 13 out of 15 markers, but that doesn’t mean we’re related. The key here is that, for there to be a father/child relationship, ALL markers have to match, since 50% of the child’s DNA comes from the biological father. Of course, there are exceptions for genetic mutations, but analysts take that into account when doing the probability of paternity determination. Hope this helps!