What Differences are there between Legal and At-Home DNA Paternity Tests?
None, as far as the actual testing is concerned. This is identical in each case. However, for a DNA test to have legal standing in a court, the identity of the sample has to be established beyond doubt, because the implications of the result could be far reaching and cheating might, and does, occur with home testing. For the do it yourself test, also known as the ‘peace of mind’ or ‘curiosity test’, it is enough for you to order the testing kit yourself and collect the sample from the mouth following the written instructions. You then send it off to the lab and wait for the result. The test is carried out the same way as for the legal test, only it won’t stand up in court. The kit itself contains the swabs and instructions, along with labels to use and consent documentation. For the legal test, a third party has to bring the kit and take the sample after identifying the subject. It is then sealed and couriered to the lab, so that there is an unbroken chain of secure custody before it i
