Paternity Test: For Peace of Mind
If you have had more than one partner, it is natural for you to want to know who the
father of your baby is. Different reasons to establish paternity include the need to
collect support financially or emotionally, or simply for the peace of mind that
accompanies knowing for sure.
Paternity testing from an accredited laboratory typically costs between Rs11500.00
and Rs.20000.00 in India, depending on the company where you are getting it tested
and the type of paternity testing you choose.
Why is establishing Paternity important?
Why is establishing paternity important?
Paternity gives your child.....
1. A sense of identity and belonging.
2. Increased likelihood to know about diseases or disorders that exist in the father's
family.
3. Entitlement to the father's financial and economic benefits, such as child support,
health insurance, social security, pensions and veterans benefits.
4. The right to inherit from the father in the event of his death.
5. Establishing paternity is a must, in order to get a child support order.
Types of Paternity Testing:
• Postnatal (after your child’s birth) DNA testing:
o Blood collection and testing
o Buccal swab (cheek swab) collection and testing
o Umbilical cord collection and testing
o Other sample collection and testing (semen, tissue, hair, etc.)
• Prenatal (before your child’s birth) DNA testing:
o Amniocentesis: This test is performed in the second trimester,
anywhere from the 14th-20th weeks of pregnancy. During this
procedure, the doctor uses ultrasound to guide a thin needle into your
uterus, through your abdomen. The needle draws out a small amount of
amniotic fluid, which is tested. Risks include a small chance of

harming the baby and miscarriage. Other side effects may include
cramping, leaking of amniotic fluid, and vaginal bleeding. A doctor's
consent is needed to do this procedure for paternity testing.
o Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): This test consists of a thin needle
or tube which a doctor inserts from the vagina, through the cervix,
guided by an ultrasound, to obtain chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are
little finger-like pieces of tissue attached to the wall of the uterus. The
chorionic villi and the fetus come from the same fertilized egg, and
have the same genetic makeup. This testing can be done earlier in
pregnancy from the 10th-13th weeks. A doctor's consent is needed to
do this procedure for paternity testing.
When paternity tests are done for legal reasons, strict chain-of-custody procedures are
employed by the laboratory to ensure that samples are safe and free from tampering.
Photos and/or other identifying information may be taken from those to be tested, and
samples are stored and transported in tamper-proof packaging. Samples may also not
be collected or transported by any of the parties involved in the case.
Can I use the DNA test results in court? Many companies now offer court-
approved tests, but also lower cost “curiosity testing.” If you aren't sure if you will
need the results for a court case, it is probably worth the extra cost to go ahead and
have a court-approved test done.
Since DNA is present in all living cells, various types of specimens are suitable for
paternity testing. Samples for genetic testing are often taken by a swab from the inside
of the mouth, but blood samples may also be used.