How Often Are Home DNA Tests Wrong?
How Often Are Home DNA Tests Wrong?
Can a Home DNA test be wrong?
Yes. There are a number of factors that can occur that can produce wrong DNA test results. Below are some possible ways incorrect results may occur.
DNA sample collection
If the participants are in two different locations there is a possibility of one of the participants may opt to use someone else’s DNA sample other than their own.
If this is the case, a Home DNA test result will produce “an excluded” result which means the alleged father is not biologically related to the child. If the participants do not trust one another. It is recommended that all parties collect their samples together, package the samples, and travel together to ship the samples back to the lab together. Doing this will ensure accuracy and trust in the results.
If you would like to perform an At-Home Paternity test kit call 866-205-8356 to order a kit today.
Legal DNA Tests
Legal DNA tests are different than Home DNA tests due to the mandatory involvement of a third-party DNA sample collector. The DNA sample collector must be involved in all legal DNA tests to maintain a proper chain of custody and to avoid any possible tampering by any one of the participants involved with
your DNA test.
Although uncommon, a DNA sample collector could make an error in the handling of the DNA samples which could also produce an incorrect result. If an error is to occur the collector more than likely was dealing with a large volume of DNA samples from other cases and did not secure each collection in compliance with legal DNA testing protocol.
If you are certain that the results were performed in error. Performing second paternity or related DNA test may be required to confirm the accuracy of the first results.
An example of this, which seldom occurs is when a paternity test is performed and one of the participants (either the mother or alleged father) believes the results are incorrect.
The party who not does believe the results to accurate may want to file a paternity petition with Family Court. If the petition is accepted. A court order will be issued to the other party.
During the court procedure, the Judge or Magistrate will require another paternity test to be performed. If the second DNA test results are different from the first DNA paternity test. They may request a third paternity test be performed by a third laboratory different from the previous two labs to decide/confirm paternity.
FedEx or DHL Tampering
Another uncommon occurrence that potentially may occur is if your DNA samples have been tampered with in transit to the lab. If this is the case, the client will be notified before DNA testing has occurred to discuss possible re-collection of your DNA samples.
Can I prevent a DNA test from being wrong?
What can be done get receive the best outcome on your DNA results is, If you are performing a Home DNA test. Make sure all parties involved in the DNA test are present to eliminate any possible switching of DNA samples. We do recognize this may not be always the case but it will increase the confidence of all parties involved with the outcome of the results.
If you are performing a legal paternity test. It is recommended that you choose a DNA testing company like Paternity Express which partner with an AABB-Accredited DNA Testing laboratory to perform your DNA Test.
Labs that are accredited by the AABB are recognized by Family Court, Immigration offices, and all state and federal institutions. What this means is, If you are submitting DNA test results as evidence to a state or federal institution. There is a protocol in place that must be adhered to in order for your results to be recognized.
Part of the protocol requires DNA sample collectors to be trained according to AABB guidelines to help eliminate possible fraud and mishandling of your DNA samples.
Conclusion:
The frequency of errors with DNA testing will change from DNA testing company to company. Over the last ten years, our company has dealt with lost samples from FedEx or DHL, seldom tampering by way of handling the samples of the shipping company. Currently, in our company’s history, we have not knowingly dealt with paternity fraud or one of our clients using another person’s samples to alter DNA test results.