Legal Paternity DNA Test in India for Court-Related Matters
When a person needs to prove a biological relationship for a legal reason, a standard, at-home DNA test is not enough. Instead, a special type of test is required. This is known as a legal paternity test.
It provides a scientific and reliable way to prove if a man is the biological father of a child. The results of this test are meant to be used in legal situations. A paternity test for the honorable court follows a very strict process to make sure the results are accurate and can be trusted by a judge.
Legal vs. Regular DNA Test
It is important to understand the two main types of paternity tests: Peace of Mind (POM) tests and legal tests.
- Peace of Mind (POM) Test: This test is for personal knowledge only. A person can buy a kit, collect their own DNA samples (usually with a cheek swab) at home, and mail them to a laboratory. Because no one verifies the identity of the people taking the test, the results cannot be used in court.
- Legal Paternity Test: This test is for official use. Its main purpose is to provide evidence for a legal case. The results are accepted by courts, government offices, and embassies. The key difference is that it follows a strict legal procedure called the "Chain of Custody."
The "Chain of Custody" Process
The Chain of Custody is a set of rules that makes the DNA test results legally valid. It is a system that tracks and documents the DNA samples from the moment they are collected until the report is issued. This process proves that the samples were not tampered with and that they came from the correct people.
If this process is not followed, a court will reject the test results. A legal DNA paternity test must follow this procedure perfectly:
Identity Verification: The identities of the individuals involved in the test are verified using passports and Government-issued IDs.
Sample Collection by a Professional: The samples are collected by a trained professional. He or she will use a buccal swab to painlessly collect skin cells from the inside of each person's mouth.
Secure Packaging: The sample collector immediately seals the samples in a special, tamper-evident package. The package is signed and dated by both the person being tested and the collector.
Transportation to the Lab: The collected DNA samples are later sent to an accredited laboratory. The people being tested are never allowed to touch or mail their own samples.
The Final Report: A final report is generated by lab experts after examining and comparing the DNA samples. This report is directly sent to the hearing judge’s office instead of the tested individuals.
This strict process ensures that the DNA being tested truly belongs to the people listed in the report.
Use of Legal Paternity Test
A legal paternity test is needed in many serious situations where proving a biological link is necessary for a legal decision.
Common uses include:
Child Custody Cases
Child Support Claims
Inheritance and Property Disputes
Legal Name Changes
Immigration Purpose
A legal paternity DNA test in India provides a definite "yes" or "no" answer, leaving no room for doubt.
DNA Forensics Laboratory - For Court-Approved DNA Test Reports
Choosing the right laboratory is critical for a paternity test for the court. A court will only accept a report from a highly accredited lab. In India, the most important accreditation to look for is NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories).
A NABL-accredited lab, like DNA Forensics Laboratory, is checked for its quality, accuracy, and processes. Reports from this lab are trusted by courts across the country. Besides, the DNA Forensics Laboratory is the only private DNA testing company in India whose reports are legally admissible in the honorable courts of law.

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