Can Paternity Tests Be Inaccurate?
Paternity DNA tests are more than 99.9 percent accurate, according to manufacturers. No two people have the same DNA, except in some cases of identical twins. In fact, the chances that two individuals (who are not identical twins) have the same DNA are one in several billion. Comparing DNA to the Mother The first step is collecting DNA from the child, which is then matched to that of the mother. This takes care of 50 percent of the chromosomes; the rest belong to the biological father. Comparing DNA to the Father The next step is extracting a DNA sample from the presumed father and comparing it against markers and bands in the chromosomes that have been pinpointed in the child’s DNA. Importance of Band Match When probe markers find a band match in the DNA, the number of bands to match grows and another test is carried out. The more bands that are matched, the greater the validity of paternity. Invalid Paternity Test Hardly any conditions would invalidate a paternity test based on DNA.
