How conclusive are DNA tests?

It is important to ensure the correct people take part in the DNA test as we can only provide results based upon the samples which we receive.

A paternity DNA test would give the most conclusive results, but this can only be carried out if we can obtain DNA samples from the alleged father.

In paternity tests, a DNA test proves with 100% certainty if a tested male is not the alleged father of a child.

Conversely, a paternity DNA test proves that a tested man is the alleged biological father of a child with at least 99.99% certainty (if the mother is involved in the testing process).

Please note that this figure may be reduced if the mother of the tested child does not participate in the test.

If an alleged father is not available for testing, then tests such as sibling, grandparent, or aunt/uncle DNA tests can also be performed.  The biological mother of the tested “child” should always take part in such tests.  Occasionally when tests there is no parental involvement at all, a biological relationship may exist between two (or more) tested people, but it cannot be detected because of the relatively low amount of DNA shared between the tested individuals.  This would be the one thing we would like to make you aware of before embarking on such a test.