Understanding Court-Admissible DNA Testing: Is It Possible to Do at Home?

Understanding Court-Admissible DNA Testing: Is It Possible to Do at Home?

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DNA is an important part of our being. We receive from our parents during reproduction. It shapes most of our physical appearance such as the shape of our nose, eyes, lips, etc. DNA gives each one of us a distinct genetic code. It gives us our unique identity. This is why DNA is tested for major reasons such as confirming paternity, resolving immigration issues, solving legal proceedings, and identifying infidelity.

Why is a DNA Test used in Legal Proceedings?

A DNA Test is used in many legal proceedings to provide authorized evidence. This evidence is used to solve different cases. Some of the reasons why a DNA test is used in legal proceedings are as follows.

Establishing Paternity:

 DNA Testing is used in many legal cases to establish paternity such as in child custody cases. It requires matching the DNA sample of a child with the DNA sample of his alleged father. Many times paternity is established to claim family inheritance as well. In these cases, a judge orders for conducting a DNA test to get robust evidence.

Confirming Infidelity:

 Many times an Infidelity DNA Testing is ordered by the court to confirm infidelity in family or relationship cases. Infidelity DNA Testing is done to confirm if one partner is cheating or deceiving the other by having an affair. In this case, the DNA of a person is taken from samples of their personal use objects, and belongings. These samples are mainly clothing, hairbrush, lipstick stains, toothbrush, mugs, etc. If the examined objects exhibit DNA samples from the person who was tested, infidelity is confirmed. Infidelity DNA testing is therefore an important aspect of legal proceedings.

Criminal Investigations: 

Many times, a DNA Test is required to solve criminal investigation cases such as cases involving murder, rape, domestic violence or assault. In these cases, a court orders a DNA test to confirm how the crime was committed. DNA is hereby collected from the objects present at the criminal site. It is then matched with the DNA of the suspect, if a match is found between the DNA of the suspect and that present on the objects, the case is solved.

How is a DNA Test Made Court-Admissible?

A DNA Test is made court-admissible by following a framework of established protocols. The main protocol in this procedure that must be followed is that the test must be considered at an accredited lab. It must be authorized and follow the necessary healthcare guidelines. Moreover, the test should be conducted by a medical expert who is an expert in their field. This means if a person without adequate knowledge and expertise conducts the test, it will not be accepted in the court.

Additionally, the chain-of-custody procedures must also be managed with great consideration. This means while the sample is being collected, transferred, or analyzed, no external factors should contaminate it. The confidentiality of results must also be made certain. This means no individuals, except the ones given permission, should access the results. As this would be considered as breach of privacy and the results could also be misused by other parties.

Can You Conduct This Test at Home?

Yes, a DNA Test can be conducted at home using an at-home DNA test kit. However, it will not be considered as an authorized evidence in the court. This means a DNA Test conducted at home cannot be court-admissible. As discussed earlier, a court-admissible DNA Testing must be conducted following a set of established protocols. This approach cannot be trailed at home. As a DNA Test is only court-admissible if performed in an accredited lab, by a medical expert, following an adequate chain-of-custody process with confidentiality.

Conclusion

Court-admissible DNA testing is used in legal proceedings to solve different cases. A DNA test can be conducted at home using at-home DNA test kit. However, it will not be court-admissible and cannot be presented in legal proceedings.

To get your DNA test conducted in an accredited lab following all the necessary protocols, visit: https://facednatest.com/