DNA Testing

Bristol & First Medical Clinic & Urgent Care provides a variety of laboratory tests at our in-house lab, including DNA testing such as paternity testing. Below, view the answers to some frequently asked questions about DNA testing and paternity testing.

DNA Testing FAQ

What is paternity testing? How is it done?

Paternity testing is a type of DNA testing used to determine whether or not a possible father is a genetic match for a child. In this type of of DNA testing, genetic samples are obtained from the mother, the child, and the alleged father.

The DNA collection process for paternity testing is simple and painless. To obtain samples for this type of testing, a sterile swab is inserted into a person’s mouth, then rubbed alongside the inside of the cheek. After these samples have been collected, we process and analyze the samples at our in-house laboratory.

Why do you need a maternal sample for paternity testing?

While paternity testing can be done with only DNA samples from the child and potential father, this type of testing is more accurate if the lab also receives a sample from the child’s mother. Children inherit half of their genetic makeup from their mother and half of from their father. Having the genetic makeup of one confirmed parent (in this case, from the mother) allows a technician to isolate half of the child’s genetic makeup (the half obtained from the mother) in order to compare the other half to the genetic makeup of the child’s possible father.

Do I need to bring anything to get paternity testing done?

We require that each person getting DNA testing bring a form of identification. For adults, this
can be a drivers license, military ID, state ID card, passport, or another legal form of ID. For
children, this can be a birth certificate, social security card, or immunization record.

What is DNA paternity testing for?

DNA paternity testing can be used for personal reasons or for legal reasons. Whether or not a potential father is a paternal match can affect legal issues such as child support, visitation rights, custody rights, adoption, immigration, inheritance, and insurance.

How accurate is your paternity testing?

If genetic samples are obtained from the mother, the child, and the potential father, the results of our paternity testing are highly accurate. With samples from all three aforementioned parties, our exclusion probability rate is over 99.99%.

Will you keep my paternity test results private?

Yes. We share the results of paternity testing only with the person, agency, or legal entity who ordered the test, or as otherwise required by law.

Can DNA testing be used for other types of testing?

Yes. DNA testing can be used for maternity testing, sibling testing, grand parentage testing, and ethnicity testing, among other types of testing.

How long does it take to get the results of a DNA paternity test?

Processing time for DNA paternity testing can vary depending on our current laboratory volume. Most genetic tests take between 24 to 72 hours for the lab to process. If you need your paternity test results by a specific date, please inquire about our current processing time before getting DNA paternity testing.

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