Paternity Testing for the Public
Paternity testing has broad applications for the public and legal communities; such as aiding in child custody, adoption, inheritance and immigration cases. A test is performed by collecting cells from the inside of the cheek with a buccal swab, DNA can then be extracted from the cells. In most cases DNA samples are collected from the mother, child and alleged father, though in some instances multiple children or alleged fathers are tested.

DNA paternity testing allows direct examination of genetic materials which a child inherits from the biological parents. During the testing process, the genetic profile of a child is first compared to the biological mother. The sections of the child's DNA sample which do not match the mother are then compared to the sample of the alleged father. Paternity test results show either an exclusion or an inclusion:

Exclusion: 
If the genetic profile of the alleged father does not contain the necessary information to be the biological father, the man is excluded as the father.

Inclusion: 
If the DNA of the tested alleged father does contain the necessary information to be the biological father, he cannot be excluded as the father.  At this point, the probability the man is the true biological father is statistically calculated.  Test results are reports at 99.99% probability of paternity for a standard DNA test.

Forensic Paternity Cases
We provide our paternity testing services to the legal communities as well as the public. If you are law enforcement or legally representing an individual; we can be of assistance to you.

Forensic paternity casework is just one of the many services we provide to the forensic science and legal communities. Marshall University Parentage Testing is located within the Forensic Science Center, which also is the home of the West Virginia CODIS Laboratory. CODIS is the Combined DNA Index System, which individual states develop as part of a searchable federal database of convicted offenders.

To contact us for a forensic paternity case, please call our Forensic DNA Laboratory at 1 (304) 690-4363 Ext. 214. One of our DNA Analysts will be the initial laboratory contact to insure strict chain of custody for any forensic paternity case.

You can also reach a Customer Service Representative at 1 (888) 362-2633 if you have questions regarding Forensic Paternity Cases.

Personal DNA Identification
Many people are interested in having their DNA profiles available in the event of an emergency. Personal DNA Identification is not admissible in court — it is for identification purposes only. You can store your Personal DNA Identification at home or in a safety deposit box.

Services offered include shipping:

• Personal DNA Identification Profile
• Document Paper Certificate with Personal DNA Identification Profile

Personal DNA Identification
Take your own DNA sample and send it to us for your Personal DNA Identification.  We will send you a kit and instructions for taking your own DNA cheek cell sample, along with a Consent Form to fill out.  Send your sample back to us in the self-addressed envelope, and we will provide you with your personal DNA identification information in a letter format.