Paternity Tests: Choosing A Laboratory

According to surveys, more than 200,000 paternity tests have been performed every year in the United States. DNA paternity test is one of the most admissible evidences in court for establishing or challenging paternity. Also, DNA paternity tests can be considered 99% accurate since it analyzes the genetic composition of the child and the parents.

With a lot of fathers starting to get interested in determining if they are the biological father, it is important to get checked by a credible laboratory. Paternity tests which would be used in court could come from laboratories and not from home DNA paternity tests which could be bought in convenience stores.

Therefore, choosing the right laboratory is important. How do you single-out the best laboratory which would provide you the best services?

• Look for accreditation. The laboratory should be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). There are some laboratories that operate without accreditation, only 48% of paternity testing laboratories are accredited by the organization. You could check the AABB website or call them directly to ask about any information about the laboratory.

• ISO 17025 is another accreditation you could look for among test laboratories.

• It is good for you to choose a laboratory that offer good customer service. They would be providing your assurance whether you are uncomfortable and having problems with the testing process.

• Paternity testing labs are definitely more expensive than home DNA testing kits. An average cost of paternity testing would be $450 to$600. You could look for laboratories that are offering different payment options. For example, there are some laboratories that would conduct the test once you have provided the $99 down payment.

• If you have seen the laboratory online, then make sure that it is indeed a physical laboratory. There are some websites that claim to be a paternity testing lab. Unfortunately, they are just marketing agencies which would direct your DNA to other laboratories and let them bid on the test.

• Check the laboratory’s history and reputation. If there are had been issues with the laboratory’s credibility for the past year, it is better to look for other labs. There are some laboratories where the test has been classified inadmissible by the court. You could also inquire about the qualifications of the laboratory’s director and staff.

• Your information is secured and private. Testing laboratories should have privacy, security and confidentiality included when they test your DNA.

• The length of time that the DNA lab needs to complete the test is also another factor.

• Make sure that you are comfortable with the laboratory and the people working in the lab. You are trusting them you DNA sample and whether you are bound for fatherhood. If you are uncomfortable, then you could try looking for other laboratories.

A paternity test would surely help the court decide if a person is indeed the biological father of a child. Therefore, it is important to work for people you trust. The paternity test could put your worries about paternity to rest. It would be able to provide you the peace of mind and the truth that you are looking for.