Method
Biological basis of the DNA analysis for the paternity test
A paternity test compares the genetic patterns of the father, mother and child to determine the kinship of the individuals. A "genetic fingerprint" is made using DNA from either cheek mucous cells or blood cells.
Please note: DNA analysis for a paternity test does not give any information about possible genetic illnesses. The test produces a unique and unalterable genetic profile of the genes without any identifying characteristics.
Details
Genomic DNA is isolated from the blood sample or the cheek swab. A genetic fingerprint is made by targeted amplification of 16 genetic markers (microsatellite markers) using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). The fingerprint is so specific to an individual that it will statistically only occur once in all the world's population. The probability of paternity or kinship is calculated statistically. Testing and evaluation is in accordance with international standards. As a person's total genetic material (genome) comes from the genomes of their parents combining, the DNA profiles (given by the analysis of the length of the microsatellite markers) must also be a combination of the parents' DNA profiles. In this way, reliable proof of parentage results.