How to read DNA paternity test results

HealthSmile and its network centers send DNA paternity tests directly to Endeavor DNA in the United States, the world leader in DNA paternity testing. Endeavor DNA performs more than one million DNA paternity tests per year, provides online results as soon as they are available (within 10 to 14 days), and provides consultations on DNA paternity test results to physicians who are knowledgeable in genomic medicine. This article will teach you how to interpret DNA paternity test results.

Read more: How many methods are there to test for paternity with DNA? Advantages/disadvantages of paternity testing
Read more: Father’s age affects the health and development of the fetus

In this article, we will detail the scientific terminology to explain the highly accurate testing process and your test results as follows:

Overview of DNA paternity test results

The paternity test report consists of the following main sections:

• Genetic Report Table (DNA Position Chart Tested: Alleles Called)
• Statement of Results
  • Combined Direct Index
  • Probability of Paternity
• Details of the inspection
  • Show the results to see if they are legally applicable (Information purpose or Legal purpose)
  • Signature of the laboratory staff and the person responsible for checking the quality of the test results (Quality Manager)
  • Stamped and signed by a Notary Public by an officer of the Lab Center in case of legal use.
  • Details of the techniques used in the inspection
• Details of the laboratory where the test was performed (Endeavor DNA address)

Example of DNA paternity test results from HealthSmile in conjunction with Endeavor DNA

Although HealthSmile’s DNA paternity testing services differ in price between legal and personal DNA testing, please note that both use the same testing methods and technologies.

The price difference is due to the requirement to use the test results in court, which requires verification of identity during the sample collection process and in some cases requires the participation of company personnel in the verification process in court, which is an additional service required by law, and therefore incurs a higher cost based on the necessity of such action.

Example of Legal Paternity Trio test results (DNA test for paternity-mother-child for legal use)

Example of Non-Legal Paternity test results (DNA paternity test for peace of mind) The test results show that they are father and child.

Example of Non-Legal Paternity test results (DNA paternity test for peace of mind) The test results showed that they are not father and child.

How to read DNA paternity test results: Genetic report table (DNA position chart: Alleles called)

Endeavor DNA’s laboratory tests at least 20 different locations on the testee’s DNA as shown in the “Alleles Called” column and compares them to the same locations on other individuals tested.

Each child receives one set of DNA from the mother and one set from the father . These sections of DNA are called “alleles.” The technology used to test this involves looking at the length of the child’s alleles and comparing them to the length of the alleged father’s alleles to determine a match. If the mother’s DNA is also tested, the mother’s alleles are also compared.

• Some alleles that are shown as only one number in the table mean that the child has two alleles of the same size. For example, at the first locus of this example, the child received “15” from his father.
• Sometimes it may be necessary to test additional sites on the DNA to make the results more specific, such as when two possible fathers are related. In this case, it will be noted which additional DNA sites were tested.

The center also offers a test for a DNA location that indicates a participant’s gender (male or female) called Amelogenin . This location is listed at the top of the table. One X means female, while one X and one Y mean male.

In the example below, you will notice that the child tested will have two allele numbers at each position tested, and you will see that at least one of them matches the father’s allele.

In cases where they are not father and son, there will be many alleles that do not match, as shown in this picture.

How to Read DNA Paternity Test Results: Statement of Results

This will be a summary section on whether the test results of both persons (or all three persons, in the case of including the mother’s test) are related by blood or not, including the percentage of probability that the two persons are related by blood.

• If the conclusion states “The alleged father is not excluded as the biological father of the tested child,” then this means that the person tested is likely the biological father of the child, as all the data collected from the testing supports a paternity relationship.
  • In the case that the test results show a father-child relationship, there will be details that the calculation of the probability is a comparative examination between the examination of Asian men (or other races as specified in the examination form) with a preliminary probability before the examination = 0.50 (which means that before the examination, there was a 50% probability of being a biological father, which is whether or not he is).

• If the conclusion states “The alleged father is excluded as the biological father of the tested child,” then this means that the person being tested is not the biological father of the child, as all the information gathered from the testing does not support a paternity relationship.

Combined Direct Index

The Combined Direct Index is a measure of the probability of paternity given an exact match at each of the DNA loci. In most cases, at least one of the child’s alleles at each locus must match the father’s allele at that locus.

This index will be a number on the bottom right hand side of the report (in the interpretation section) under the Genetic Report table. If the biological father is found, there will be a number for this combined paternity index. If you are not the biological father, the report will display “0”.

Probability of Paternity

The Probability of Paternity is a probability ratio that indicates how likely it is that a man is the biological father compared to a randomly selected unrelated man with a similar ethnic background. In the example shown above, this man is 3,321,051 times more likely to be the biological father, or the chance of not being the biological father is only 1 in 3,321,051, or 0.00003%. This number will vary from case to case, and the higher the number, the more reliable the result will be.

Contact us for a free, confidential consultation at 089 874 9565 or
LINE ID : @HealthSmile We are happy to help.

Contact us for a free, confidential consultation at 089 874 9565 or
LINE ID : @HealthSmile We are happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

Q: The test results show a discrepancy in one position between the possible father and the child, but the probability of being the father is more than 99%. How could this happen?

A: There is a high chance that the genetic code of the child or the potential father may have a mutation at that location. Analysts take this mutation into account when making calculations and drawing conclusions. So even if there is a slight discrepancy, if everything else matches, the man is still considered the biological father of the tested child.

Q: Can paternity test results be inaccurate?

A: At the Endeavor DNA Testing Center that HealthSmile sends to, each sample is processed twice by two separate teams to eliminate the possibility of human error and ensure extremely accurate results. If your results state that the alleged father is excluded as the biological father of the tested child, that means that there is absolutely no probability that the individual is the biological father, based on the DNA analysis. If your results state that the alleged father is not excluded as the biological father of the tested child, that means that there is almost a 100% probability that the individual is the biological father.

However, if the two possible fathers are close relatives, such as siblings, they will have very similar DNA. It is important to let us know whether the two possible fathers are related. We can perform additional tests to increase the accuracy in this situation, including additional testing of the mother’s DNA, which may also increase the accuracy.

Read more: What are the standards for Endeaver DNA father-child DNA testing in Thailand by HealthSmile?

Q: Why is my paternity test report missing my name?

A: The person being tested may not wish to include their name on the test report. They will only be given an identification number for each sample and the role of the sample in the test (alleged father, child, or mother).

However, if you choose to have a legal witnessed paternity test and have court-certified results, the report will include our company name and branding. For home tests and tests requiring legal documentation, the testing process is exactly the same, and you can be assured that the results will be guaranteed to be accurate for the sample submitted to us.

Q: Why is the probability of being a father not 100%?

A: It is not possible to report a 100% result because DNA test results are calculated based on statistical values only. Simply put, to get a 100% probability, we would have to test every man in the world who has a similar ethnic background to the alleged father being tested, and it would be impossible for us to report a 100% result.

Health Smile provides paternity testing services at your home nationwide , starting at only 12,000 baht.
Additional legal documents can be issued when receiving service at the center.
For more information, contact LINE ID: @HealthSmile