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Casey Randall answers some of the most common questions about prenatal paternity testing for legal matters
A non-invasive prenatal paternity test or NIPP test, is a DNA test performed while the mother is still pregnant, to verify paternity before the baby is born.
The test can be performed from as early as seven weeks into pregnancy, right up to the point of labour, with expert geneticists examining the baby’s DNA together with the parents’ DNA to identify which half of the DNA is inherited from the father.
If the tested man is the biological father of the baby, both will share matching DNA markers to verify a biological relationship. If the tested man is not the biological father, there will be significant differences between the DNA of the man and the baby.
Three samples are required to perform a NIPP test:
Expert geneticists extract DNA profiles from both parents’ samples, and the very latest scientific techniques are used to identify the baby’s DNA within the mother’s blood sample; provided there is sufficient foetal DNA within the mother’s blood sample, geneticists will compare the DNA profiles of the alleged father and the baby to identify matching DNA markers and establish paternity.
Although the test can be performed from as early as seven weeks, testing later in pregnancy is the best way to obtain the highest levels of foetal DNA, and an even more conclusive result.
There are many benefits associated with prenatal paternity testing, particularly for child welfare and protection cases. These include:
The test is also useful for child maintenance or custody arrangements, where the parents no longer have a relationship or the alleged father is disputing paternity, ensuring arrangements can be made for custody or child maintenance once the baby is born.
A blood sample must be collected from the mother by a trained sample collector, such as those who work in AlphaBiolabs’ nationwide network, or a medical professional such as a phlebotomist, nurse, or other medical practitioner.
The blood sample must then be transported to the laboratory as quickly as possible, to avoid degradation of the sample which can render a blood sample unusable.
Cheek (buccal) DNA samples are collected from the mother and alleged father by rubbing a cheek swab quickly and painlessly on the inside of the cheek to collect DNA. Although the cheek samples do not need to be collected at the same location, reputable testing laboratories will advise that both parents’ samples should be collected around the same time, to prevent any delays to testing and analysis.
We are the only UK laboratory to hold ISO 17025 accreditation for NIPP testing, with extensive experience providing industry leading DNA testing services for legal matters. Our test results are accepted by Family law courts, the Ministry of Justice, the Child Maintenance Service, UK Visas and Immigration and the Home Office.
We also offer the fastest DNA test results in the industry, with NIPP test results available in four-to-seven days.* A report containing a concise summary of the results and confirmation of chain of custody procedures is included as standard.
* Working days from when samples arrive at laboratory before 10am.
For expert advice on which DNA test is best for your client, call our Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com and a member of our legal sales team will be in touch.
For further information please visit: https://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk
A non-invasive prenatal paternity test or NIPP test, is a DNA test performed while the mother is still pregnant, to verify paternity before the baby is born.
The test can be performed from as early as seven weeks into pregnancy, right up to the point of labour, with expert geneticists examining the baby’s DNA together with the parents’ DNA to identify which half of the DNA is inherited from the father.
If the tested man is the biological father of the baby, both will share matching DNA markers to verify a biological relationship. If the tested man is not the biological father, there will be significant differences between the DNA of the man and the baby.
Three samples are required to perform a NIPP test:
Expert geneticists extract DNA profiles from both parents’ samples, and the very latest scientific techniques are used to identify the baby’s DNA within the mother’s blood sample; provided there is sufficient foetal DNA within the mother’s blood sample, geneticists will compare the DNA profiles of the alleged father and the baby to identify matching DNA markers and establish paternity.
Although the test can be performed from as early as seven weeks, testing later in pregnancy is the best way to obtain the highest levels of foetal DNA, and an even more conclusive result.
There are many benefits associated with prenatal paternity testing, particularly for child welfare and protection cases. These include:
The test is also useful for child maintenance or custody arrangements, where the parents no longer have a relationship or the alleged father is disputing paternity, ensuring arrangements can be made for custody or child maintenance once the baby is born.
A blood sample must be collected from the mother by a trained sample collector, such as those who work in AlphaBiolabs’ nationwide network, or a medical professional such as a phlebotomist, nurse, or other medical practitioner.
The blood sample must then be transported to the laboratory as quickly as possible, to avoid degradation of the sample which can render a blood sample unusable.
Cheek (buccal) DNA samples are collected from the mother and alleged father by rubbing a cheek swab quickly and painlessly on the inside of the cheek to collect DNA. Although the cheek samples do not need to be collected at the same location, reputable testing laboratories will advise that both parents’ samples should be collected around the same time, to prevent any delays to testing and analysis.
We are the only UK laboratory to hold ISO 17025 accreditation for NIPP testing, with extensive experience providing industry leading DNA testing services for legal matters. Our test results are accepted by Family law courts, the Ministry of Justice, the Child Maintenance Service, UK Visas and Immigration and the Home Office.
We also offer the fastest DNA test results in the industry, with NIPP test results available in four-to-seven days.* A report containing a concise summary of the results and confirmation of chain of custody procedures is included as standard.
* Working days from when samples arrive at laboratory before 10am.
For expert advice on which DNA test is best for your client, call our Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com and a member of our legal sales team will be in touch.
For further information please visit: https://www.alphabiolabs.co.uk
Casey Randall answers some of the most common questions about prenatal paternity testing for legal matters
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Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
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Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
