Establishing Identity
Recently, DNA testing has been essential in establishing the identities of more than a couple of bodies. Earlier this month, the remains of a toddler were found in a box in the rafters of an Ohio garage. Through a DNA test, police were able to identify the child as Elaina Steinfurth. She had been missing for three months and had last been seen in the Ohio home where her body was found.
Recently the remains of a 49-year-old victim were able to be identified through DNA testing, even though it has been over twelve years since the September 11th attacks. Authorities have established the identities of 63 percent of the 21,906 remains found at the World Trade Center, mostly through DNA tests. Effort is being made to establish the identities of the other remains. Establishing the identity of is only one reason for DNA testing. Often DNA testing is used to prove or disprove biological relationships.
Paternity Testing
Paternity testing is one of the most common reasons for DNA testing. Fathers who desire to have absolute certainty about the biological relationship of their children often seek out a DNA Paternity test. When it comes to establishing paternity, the sooner the better. The longer a father waits to have a paternity test conducted the greater the potential emotional damage and heartache suffered by both the child and the father could be. Having a paternity test not only protects you from potential pain, but also allows for a father’s guard to be lowered and a true paternal bond to occur. In many cases where the alleged father has uncertainty about this relationship he simply cannot allow himself to fully accept and love this child.
Grand-parentage Testing
In cases where the alleged father is not available, a grandparentage DNA test may be performed. In such cases the paternal grandmother and grandfather will both have to be tested. This test will yield results that resemble a paternity test in that the probability of paternity is either an exclusion or greater than 99%.
Establishing Other Family Relationships
DNA testing can also be used to establish other family relationships. DNA testing has been utilized to establish aunts, uncles, full-siblings, half-siblings and many other family relationships.
The entire process usually only takes about thirty minutes. Walk ins are welcome, and standard results are returned in five – seven business days. The collection process is quick and painless as swabs are used to collect tissue cells on the inside of the donor’s mouth. Contact us with any questions.