What is paternity testing?

Paternity testing is a way to confirm who the biological father of a child is. It is done by comparing DNA from the child and the alleged father. This can be done using a variety of different methods, but the most common is called short tandem repeat (STR) analysis.

STR analysis looks at specific regions of DNA that are known to vary from person to person. By comparing the STR patterns of the child and the alleged father, it is possible to determine with a high degree of certainty whether or not they are biologically related.

Paternity testing can be important for a variety of reasons. It can be used to establish paternity for legal purposes, such as child support or inheritance. It can also be used to resolve paternity disputes between two or more men. And in some cases, paternity testing can be used to find out about one's own biological heritage.

There are a number of different ways to obtain a paternity test, including through a doctor's office, a lab, or a home testing kit. The cost of a paternity test can vary depending on the method used and the lab that performs the test.