Unlike a pregnancy kit where you take the test and get the results within minutes, a home DNA paternity test is slightly more complicated even though it involves you doing it from the comfort of your own home. The only thing you get to do at home is collect the sample. Everything else is done by professionals in a lab.
However, it’s understandable for people to raise doubts regarding the accuracy of the results especially considering they’re not in full control of the testing process as say, compared to a pregnancy test where a third party is not required to test the samples.
Here’s what you need to know about the accuracy of home DNA paternity testing but first, let’s break down the procedure involved.
What Is the Process for Using a Home DNA Paternity Test?
The first thing to do is pick up your preferred DNA collection kit at an authorized retailer or buy the kit online from a credible website. Once you have the kit, swab the inside of the cheeks of the child, the potential father, and the mother.
It isn’t really necessary to have the mother’s sample but it is recommended. Once you have all the samples, the next step is to mail the DNA samples to the lab. You then wait for your results. The time taken to process the results varies with different labs.
Are Home DNA Paternity Tests Accurate?
Home DNA paternity test is 99.9% accurate. Even if you were to go with a court-ordered DNA test, then you should probably expect the same results as you would with a home DNA test.
The results will have significant consequences on your life and that of the child so you should take a few factors into consideration before buying a test kit. Start with the quality of the lab you choose. It’s always good to pick a reputable and certified company that has a good accuracy track record.
Next is to inspect the quality of the kit you use. Ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with and find out how long it’s been sitting on the shelf. How accurate you are in following instructions will also play a part so make sure that you follow the instructions to the letter.
Home DNA paternity tests are made differently. Some of the differences in the tests include the company’s sample testing procedure to and the number of genetic markers in the analysis. Generally, companies that offer home DNA tests at a low cost save their money by testing fewer genetic markers. This reduces the statistical probabilities of the results.
Make sure you cross-check the qualifications of the lab you have picked. The lab should be certified by the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendment and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. These two stamps of approval prove that the lab has undergone rigorous inspections and tests before even performing tests of their own.
Prepare Yourself for Both Outcomes
The outcome of the test could either be favorable or detrimental so you should expect any result regardless of how confident you feel.
The test results could take anywhere between 24 hours and 8 weeks depending on the lab. So don’t hold your breath when awaiting results. However, the longer they take the more thorough the test procedure, and the surer you can be about the accuracy of the results.
