There's no denying that parentage testing has increased dramatically over the past decade and in the US alone the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) reports that 354,011 cases of parentage testing was carried out in 2012. As for Australia, although there are no exact figures reported, it is said to be rising by 4 -6% every year. In fact if you believe [Link Removed] they suspect that as many as 30% of fathers are unaware that the child isn't biologically theirs. You've only got to switch on daytime TV and you're sure to witness the drama unfold of some unsuspecting soul being put through a paternity test. So if you require a DNA test what exactly are your options?

Home Paternity Testing
If an individual is plagued by doubts, this is often the first step to take. As the name suggests home testing is quick and easy and is carried out in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Oral swabs are rubbed against the inside of the cheek and under the tongue for approximately 10 seconds. Once samples are collected they are sent back to the laboratory for thorough testing. The important thing to note about home testing is that because tests are carried out by the individuals themselves, they carry no validity. Although test results are genuine and can prove one way or the other, it won't stand up in a court of law.

Legal Paternity Testing
If on the other hand an individual needs a report for legal reasons then they need to go down the route of legal paternity testing. This is a far more stringent process, whereby participants are not responsible for collecting their own DNA samples. Instead it has to be carried out by a registered doctor. With legal DNA testing the participants have two options.
If a dispute involves a court of law, custody or child maintenance issues, then the test will need to be issued by a National Australian Testing Authority (NATA) accredited laboratory. Each test is carried out to the strictest of standards. It's required that tests are performed by a third party who has no interest in the case and the results. Moreover, a plethora of documentation and identification also has to be submitted by each person being tested. If the results need to be presented to a governmental department such as child support, immigration or registration of births, then this is the route you need to take.
The second option in the legal paternity route is known as a Legal Verified DNA Test. It's slightly less rigorous than full legal paternity testing (less paperwork and documentation) but still requires a third party to carry out the test, usually in the form of a doctor or registered nurse. This option is ideal when those concerned want to be certain that the samples submitted are in fact from that person. In other words, it's for those who want to make sure that the people involved aren’t manipulating the end results.

DNA testing results can be certain to within 99.99% and for many, this is a sure fire way of setting the dispute once and for all. So if you are unsure about your past then a DNA parentage test from somewhere like [Link Removed] may well put your mind at ease once and for all.