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Including the Mother in DNA Paternity Testing

by HOMEDNA on 01/25/2021

When asked about including the mother in DNA paternity testing, many people respond by saying something like, “But I already know I’m the mother. Why would I test?”

Having the mother submit her samples along with the child and possible father can actually help HomeDNA Paternity answer your paternity questions with more certainty, which is why we include the mother’s participation is included in the lab fee.

Strengthening DNA Paternity Testing Results

Testing the biological mother’s DNA increases the chance of a conclusive result for any DNA test-including DNA tests for paternity, siblings, or grandparents. That’s why the mother is strongly encouraged to participate in any DNA relationship test (excluding maternity testing) at no additional cost. In fact, each kit includes collection materials for the child, possible father, and mother. In most cases, the mother’s DNA is not needed to strengthen results, but sometimes it is. If it turns out her DNA is required and it was not submitted, it will delay results, which is an inconvenience and extra stress no one wants. So if it’s possible to submit the mother’s DNA, why not? Here are the details on why it can be important.

How the Mother Strengthens DNA Paternity Testing Results

A high-quality paternity test checks 2o Genetic Systems (sometimes called markers or locations), and more, if necessary, looking for matches between the possible father and child. If he is to be considered the biological father, each location must show a match (with the exception of instances of a mismatch due to naturally-occurring mutations).

Each match is assigned a number (Paternity Index) which shows just how strong the match is: the higher the number, the stronger the match. All of the indexes are multiplied together to produce the Combined Paternity Index (CPI). If he is the biological father, the CPI must be at least 100 (at least 200 for immigration cases).

Paternity testing with just a father and a child usually produces a high CPI and a very high Probability of Paternity (usually 99.99% or greater if he is the father). However, sometimes the matches between father and child aren’t strong enough for conclusive results. In these rare cases, HomeDNA Paternity asks for the DNA samples of the biological mother. With the mother’s information to go along with the possible father’s, DNA paternity testing almost always provides a strong, conclusive result. Even when results are already conclusive, including the mother strengthens the result.

A Paternity Test Example

Consider the following paternity test example:

In this case, the probability of paternity is only 98.99% (multiplying together all the relationship index numbers). The result is inconclusive because it must be greater than 99%-even though the father and child match at each location.

Now, let’s add the biological mother’s sample to the DNA paternity test:

The probability of paternity increases to 99.90%-a conclusive result showing that the father really is the biological father of the child.

Why does Including the Mother Help?

In the first example, all of the locations match, but we don’t know which of the child’s DNA markers comes from his mother and which comes from his father. Since the mother wasn’t tested, each relationship index is lower than it could be.

By testing the child’s mother, we see which of the child’s markers must have come from the father and this makes each match stronger. In the second table, the Paternity Index numbers are higher and the result is now conclusive because the Probability of Paternity is higher than 99%.

The Mother Won’t Agree to Participate. Is it Still OK to Test?

Yes, absolutely. Although the mother’s participation can strengthen results, her DNA is not usually needed in order to obtain conclusive results. But if she can provide her DNA and is willing to do so, that’s ideal…just in case!

And remember: Including the biological mother’s DNA is not just for straight DNA testing. She should be included in any DNA test, even grandparent DNA tests or sibling DNA testing, in order to strengthen the DNA test results.

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Should I Get a Prenatal DNA Paternity Test or Wait?

by HOMEDNA on 01/18/2021

Paternity testing can already be a nerve-wracking process for all participants involved. This is why it’s important for expectant mothers who have paternity questions to make an educated decision about whether or not a prenatal DNA paternity test is the right choice for her or if it’s preferable to wait for the child’s birth to get tested. It’s essential to know up front that a prenatal test costs a whole lot more than a postnatal one, mainly due to the extensive amount of analysis involved with isolating an unborn child’s DNA profile: so weigh your options carefully.

What Is a Non-Invasive Prenatal DNA Paternity Test?

A non-invasive prenatal DNA paternity test is called “non-invasive,” because it doesn’t involve sample collection through the vagina, cervix, or belly. A fetal-cells analysis paternity test uses a small blood sample from the mother from which the fetus’s DNA can be profiled. Fetal cells are present in maternal blood, and this allows scientists to create a limited genetic profile for the baby as early as seven (7) weeks into a pregnancy. That profile is compared with those of the mother and possible father in order to determine whether or not the baby is biologically related to the man being tested. The sample from the possible father is collected via a simple cheek swab. Unlike the CVS and Amniocentesis tests outlined below, this test presents no risk whatsoever to the mother or the pregnancy.

COST: $1,000-2,000

Learn more about a non-invasive prenatal DNA paternity test

CVS Test for Paternity Testing

CVS sampling for paternity testing can be performed as early as 10-12 weeks. Samples from the child can be collected using CVS (chorionic villus sampling), which is an invasive collection through the vagina and cervix to gather placenta. It can also be collected with a thin needle through the belly. This is done for collecting Chorionic Villi, which are tiny growths found in the placenta. The material in the chorionic villus cells are the same as the baby’s cells and can be used for paternity DNA testing.

Amniocentesis Test for Paternity Testing

Paternity testing is also available if you are past the 12-week mark. Amniocentesis is usually performed at 15-20 weeks. The amniocentesis collection process is done by putting a needle through the belly into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid.

After the child’s samples are collected, the mother and alleged father’s samples can be collected using buccal (cheek) swabs, and sent in for paternity testing with the child’s sample. The biological mother and alleged father’s samples can be done as a self-collection for peace of mind paternity testing, or a legal collection (collected by a third party) to have the paternity results used for legal purposes such as child support.

The Bottom Line about Prenatal Paternity Testing

Of the three tests listed above, only the non-invasive prenatal paternity test presents absolutely no risk whatsoever to the mother or pregnancy, and it is becoming more and more popular as a result. But it’s essential to be wary of cut-rate labs and choose a laboratory that you can trust to provide accurate results. DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC), parent company of the IDENTIGENE postnatal-paternity test kit, offers the only non-invasive prenatal paternity option that is accredited by the AABB. This means only DDC maintains strict standards of accountability for prenatal DNA paternity testing, including analysis, PhD review, and documentation.

If you think that either a CVS or Amnio prenatal test must be done, it should be a decision made alongside your physician. There are risks involved with the CVS and Amniocentesis procedures, including miscarriage . Your physician can help determine if mom and child are healthy enough to undergo either of these procedures. The tests are are generally not covered by insurance if the only reason for doing them is to answer a paternity question.

If you decide prenatal testing isn’t for you, the baby can be swabbed immediately after birth and a buccal (cheek) swab DNA collection can be done on all participants. Postnatal testing costs only $139 + the price of a paternity kit.

Is it Legal to Refuse a Paternity Test?

by HOMEDNA on 11/02/2020

HomeDNA provides DNA testing and is not a legal service; this information is meant to provide general guidelines. If you have specific questions about your case, please contact a social worker or family-law attorney area in your state.

Of all the DNA tests available today, the one with the most far-reaching impact is undoubtedly a paternity test. In most cases where a court orders a paternity test, there is a minor child involved, with child support and custody on the line. The courts take the welfare of a child very seriously and the needs of that child trump any repercussion test results may have on the mother or alleged father.

Can a mother or father refuse to agree to a court-ordered paternity test? Here are some fast answers.

Who can Ask for a Court-Ordered Paternity Test?

Keep in mind that the specifics of paternity law vary from state to state, so if you have questions, we highly recommend that you consult a family-law attorney, legal service, or social worker in your area. That being said, most courts follow these general guidelines as to who is eligible to bring a civil lawsuit:

The child’s mother
A woman expecting a child
A man claiming to be the biological father of an unborn or already-born child
A personal representative of a child with legal authority to act on behalf of that child
The mother and father of an unborn or already-born child, voluntarily acting together
A state social service agency acting on a claim of child neglect
A child who has reached the “age of majority,” making a claim within one to five years after reaching that age

Filing a civil lawsuit is the first step, but the court will review the case first to determine if a paternity test should be ordered. Once the test is ordered, the mother, child, and possible father are required to submit DNA samples through an approved facility.

What if the Mother or Father Refuses to Participate in the Paternity Test?

If the mother refuses

Chances are good the court will automatically order that, because paternity has not been definitively established, she is not entitled to receive child support from the alleged father.

Keep in mind that in most states, a possible father can only contest paternity if he does so within a specific time frame, so, if a woman refuses a paternity test, it’s extremely important for any man who questions paternity to request a test before the baby’s born or as soon as possible afterwards.

Because the court considers the welfare of the child over everything else, if a man is on the birth certificate and waits too long to test, he may never be off the financial hook—even if a paternity test eventually proves he’s not the biological father.

If the father refuses

He may face legal consequences for his refusal, such as being held in contempt of court: criminal charges could be filed or he could be fined. In many cases, the court may simply enter a judgment against the man and order him to pay child support.

What if the mother and alleged father were married?

A man is legally considered to be the father of a child if the couple were married when the child was born. Even if they were divorced during the pregnancy, he is presumed to be the father if the baby was born within 300 days of the divorce date. If you are a married or divorced man questioning the paternity of a child, you should contact a family-law attorney in your state to see what your options are.

The Bottom Line

Is it legal to refuse a court-ordered paternity test? Yes. But there are potentially serious legal repercussions for people who refuse to take it. Ultimately, it’s best for all parties—especially for the child—to know the truth about a child’s biological heritage and it’s a lot simpler if participants test willingly. If you need a court-ordered test, contact us directly at 800-681-7162 (M-F, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern).

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 888-404-4363, Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center and see real reviews from our customers.