Paternity testing has remained a sensitive topic in society because of the life-altering nature of the test results. Choosing how and where to do the test is, therefore, always a concern for many. It’s only natural for people to raise their doubts about the authenticity, cost, and accuracy of home DNA paternity testing as compared to testing at a medical facility.
While taking a paternity test, the people involved have their DNA samples collected from the mouth using a swab. Cheek swabs have become one of the most popular methods of collecting DNA samples because of how simple they are to use, their cheap cost, and convenience.
Cheek swabs are also the preferred method of DNA collection for medical experts. Some doctors may, however, draw a touch of blood in rare cases.
Differences in Various Home Paternity Tests
Technological advancements in the field have seen many companies come up with a variety of home test kits, all tailored for the same purpose. They, however, come with a few differences such as:
- The amount of time taken for analysis
- The genetic markers in the analysis
- The ability and proficiency of the personnel involved in the process
Quality of the Home Test Kit
Provided that the user follows the written instructions provided on the label, the quality of the sample collected by a home test kit should be of the same quality as the one collected by the doctor.
The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has set a standard procedure through which all accredited labs follow when extracting and processing DNA. For this reason, the results from the test are not dependent on the method by which the sample was collected.
Cost of Home DNA Paternity Tests
The cost of any paternity test should cover sample collection and lab analysis of the DNA. An accredited lab should charge between $130 and $200 for a father and one child. However, if you do a home DNA paternity test, you also need to consider the cost of sample delivery as well as how you’re going to receive the results
For court-admissible results, testing at an accredited lab will cost you $300 onwards. This is significantly lower than visiting the doctor which could set you back by more than $400.
Consider Legal Applications
You need to consider the legal ramifications involving the test. For home paternity tests, the results are not admissible in a court of law. So, if there’s a dispute over custody or child support, home test paternity results will not provide much value. However, paternity tests done by the doctor can be used in custody battles, wills, and to make changes on birth certificates.
In Conclusion
A home paternity DNA test is an easy, affordable, and accurate method of learning the true biological relationship between an alleged father and a child. As long as you follow the instructions and the proper instructions, the test will be as accurate as the ones conducted at medical facilities.
However, bear in mind that courts consider tests done by doctors as more credible. If you want to take a paternity test simply for the peace of mind, a home DNA paternity test kit is more than ideal.
