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My wife and I want to divorce, and she just had a baby that I don’t think is mine. How accurate is DNA testing?
Every individual’s DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is unique (with the exception of identical twins, whose DNA is identical). DNA carries our genetic information, and a baby’s DNA is the result of a combination of his or her parents’ DNA. A baby’s DNA can be sampled, and his or her father’s DNA can be sampled and tested to determine whether they “match.”
The accuracy of DNA testing depends on several factors:
Although no test — DNA or other — can prove or disprove the paternity (or maternity) of a child with 100% certainty, an accuracy level of 99.99% is indeed obtainable. The .01% is considered negligible. When the probability that a man is the father of the tested child is 99.9%, for all practical purposes, he is the father. Most family law courts accept this probability as proof of paternity.
Conversely, when a DNA test by a reputable laboratory finds that it is 99.99% probable that a man is not the father of a tested child, the same standards are accepted by family law courts. Even so, several authorities on DNA testing have suggested that DNA tests for legal or other purposes should be replicated in more than one laboratory.
A Multitude of Uses for DNA Testing
It’s good to keep in mind the significant stakes that may rest on the results of a DNA test:
Many studies have been done to test the accuracy of DNA testing. However, controversy exists regarding whether the results of DNA tests should be legally binding. For example, district attorneys and federal prosecutors are often very much in favor of DNA tests to support their cases against the accused, whereas defense attorneys often contest the validity of DNA test results.
Consult a Divorce Attorney about DNA Paternity Testing
If you need an attorney who is knowledgeable about DNA testing, consult a local divorce lawyer today.