Paternity Fraud: Addressing Your Top Questions
In the realm of paternity testing, questions and concerns often arise, especially when news stories highlight the possibility of paternity fraud. As a reputable and accredited paternity-testing company, we field numerous customer inquiries each week via phone, email, and social media. Among the most common queries are those related to paternity fraud. In this article, we delve into the top three questions we receive and provide comprehensive answers to shed light on this important topic.
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Question 1: Paternity Fraud—Can the Mother Submit Her Own DNA as the Father's?
Answer: No.
Paternity fraud can manifest when a mother attempts to manipulate test results by submitting her own DNA while falsely claiming it belongs to the alleged father. To counteract such attempts, our partnered lab includes the amelogenin gene in all paternity tests. This gene verifies the gender of participants, including the alleged father, child, and even the mother (if she participates). If the mother submits her own DNA in place of the alleged father's, the lab immediately detects the discrepancy and suspends testing. The unique DNA profiles of distinct individuals cannot be identical unless they are identical twins. Consequently, our lab safeguards the integrity of results by swiftly requesting new, authentic samples.
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Question 2: Paternity Fraud—What if the Alleged Father Switches His Samples?
Answer: Yes, it affects results.
During at-home testing, an alleged father might commit paternity fraud by swabbing another person's cheeks and submitting that individual's DNA as his own. This fraudulent act compromises sample integrity, leading to inaccurate results. Even if the alleged father is the biological parent, the report may indicate a 0% probability of paternity due to the substituted DNA. Notably, similar fraud can be committed by the mother. This explains why at-home test results are not court-admissible and why participant identities remain undisclosed on such reports.
Preventing Fraud: Our Recommendations
To thwart potential fraud, we offer two key recommendations:
Witnessed Collection: If you have doubts about a participant's honesty, ensure you are present during DNA collection. Witness each other's swabbing process and envelope sealing, followed by jointly mailing the samples. This step minimizes the risk of fraud and offers peace of mind to all parties.
Opt for Legal Paternity Testing: When participants reside in different locations and witnessing collection is unfeasible, consider a legal paternity test. This test involves visiting an approved facility for DNA collection, where IDs are verified, DNA collection is witnessed, and tampering is prevented.
Question 3: Paternity Fraud—Can Consuming Food or Drink Alter DNA Results?
Answer: No.
In an attempt to commit paternity fraud, someone might consume food or drink before swabbing their cheeks in hopes of manipulating results. However, the DNA itself cannot be altered through ingestion. Kit instructions advise against eating, drinking, or smoking an hour prior to swabbing not to change DNA, but to ensure high-quality samples. While consuming substances won't affect DNA, a contaminated swab with formula or food residue can hinder DNA extraction. While such incidents inconvenience customers by requiring new samples, they do not impact the accuracy of results.
Closing Thoughts on Paternity Fraud
Since 1993, our partnered lab DDC has been a trusted provider of accurate paternity testing services, catering to both peace-of-mind customers and those seeking court-admissible results. With a commitment to precision, they conduct each test twice to ensure accuracy for the samples provided. They employ rigorous protocols to counteract paternity fraud and encourage customers to exercise due diligence as well. By embracing caution and informed decision-making, you can navigate paternity testing confidently and responsibly.
CALL US FOR A FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION AT 302.527.1789. WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! If you have questions about paternity tests or other DNA testing services, please contact our Client Support Center at 302-529-1789, Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time. Our friendly, expert representatives are ready and happy to help. Get answers anytime by visiting our Help Center.
