: Specialists compare the patterns between the child and the potential father to calculate the "probability of paternity". Types of Paternity Tests

: Analyzes fetal DNA found in the mother's blood; can be done as early as the 7th or 8th week .

: Requires a strict "chain of custody," where an unbiased third party verifies identities and supervises collection. These are admissible in court for matters like child support or custody.

: Laboratories extract DNA and analyze specific regions called Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) or genetic markers.

Testing can be categorized by timing and the intended use of the results:

: Includes amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) , which collect samples directly from the womb but carry a small risk of miscarriage. Legal vs. Personal Tests :

The procedure is generally non-invasive and follows several technical steps:

: Kits are available for personal use, but because there is no verified identity chain, results are not admissible in court . Common Uses and Benefits