A DNA test kit can be used at home to determine a child’s paternity, the sex of an unborn baby, or the presence of certain genetic factors that may predispose a person to certain diseases. A DNA test kit is used to determine paternity in the vast majority of cases.
DNA is usually extracted from the inside of the cheek by collecting a small amount of skin tissue and saliva. Envelopes are usually included, and each sample must be labeled with the owner’s name. The test is straightforward and, when performed by a reputable laboratory, extremely accurate.
The lab then determines genetic factors that indicate whether or not there is a relationship. When establishing paternity, most US courts will accept DNA evidence from a DNA test kit if all parties willingly participated in the testing. If such testing is not available, the court usually obtains information from a lab, rather than a home DNA test kit, where results can be guaranteed.
Ancestry can also be determined using a different type of DNA test kit. In these cases, a DNA test kit that can test the hair of a deceased person is usually required. People frequently inherit hair rings and locks of hair because they were once considered heirlooms. If you test the hair of a deceased person while evaluating cheek swabs from a living person, you can establish a relationship and possibly find ancestors if you’re a genealogist.
Because no remains of the person are available for testing, determining a relationship with ancestors can be difficult. Exhumation may be required for testing, which is a major consideration that may be opposed by other family members or religious beliefs. Exhumation may, in rare cases, result in the establishment of an inheritance to wealth by establishing a degree of relationship. Because a court must verify documentation before awarding an inheritance, a recognized lab, rather than a DNA test kit, is usually used.
Expectant mothers can now use a DNA test kit to determine the sex of their child or whether they are carrying multiple children, according to recent trends. For DNA testing of this nature to be reliable, the expectant mother must usually provide a small blood sample and be at least a few months pregnant.
A DNA test kit can be purchased from a variety of websites as well as local doctors or labs. On the internet, most kits cost around $250 USD, including testing (USD). Some kits are half that price, but if you’re trying to legally establish paternity, the cost may not be justified if the court orders you to repeat the test. Mislabeling, intentionally including the wrong sample, or simple mistakes can all lead to sample corruption. Unless one is simply trying to satisfy idle curiosity, DNA lab tests are the more accurate methods.