DNA Paternity Testing Where the Parent is Deceased

The most common form of DNA testing, used to establish the biological relationship between two or more people, is the paternity test. This is generally employed to resolve disputed paternity, and usually involves a simple test employing a sample collected using an oral swab. However, in cases where the alleged father is deceased, this paternity test is more awkward, and the sampling procedures more complicated.

Alternative Testing Options to a Paternity Test

It might seem that once the alleged father has died, the truth of paternity will die with him. That is not in fact true, and there are ways establishing paternity, even if the alleged father is no longer with us. Naturally, the situation is more complex, but techniques such as DNA Relationship Testing are available, that can establish a relationship by determining the DNA profiles of close family members. A child’s DNA can be compared to that of its alleged grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. In this way, it is possible to determine paternity indirectly without doing a direct paternity test.

Apart from that, direct DNA screening can still be carried out in certain circumstance, as exemplified in the three types of case below.

Case 1 – Recently Deceased – up to One Week

If the alleged father has died only recently, and a viable sample can still be taken, then it is possible for the client to get permission to take samples in the form of fingernail cuttings or hair samples (complete with root) – preferable both. It is possible to extract DNA from each of these for establishing paternity. To be viable for a paternity test, samples must preferably be taken no more than a week after death.

Case 2 – The Samples Available

If the deceased has been buried you might be able to gather indirect samples such as DNA from a toothbrush, a cigarette butt or an unwashed cup – just as you see in the movies, though it is not as easy to extract DNA from these samples as the movies would have you believe. Nevertheless, it can be done, but the technique is not guaranteed success. The amount of DNA obtained might not be enough to test to complete the paternity test, although the science produces just as much proof.

Case 3 – Exhumation for the DNA Samples

Where justified, the body can be exhumed in order to obtain a sample of DNA from the deceased for a paternity test. Where the body has been buried for a sufficient period of time for no soft tissue to be remaining, it is recommended to take a two gram bone sample from the humerus or the femoral shaft, or alternatively, two teeth.

Obviously, such a sample is normally made available only where there are pressing reasons for paternity to be legally established. Due to the difficulty in obtaining the sample for a paternity test, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a forensic pathologist or other expert because the costs of such analyses are high, and you need advice as to the probability of success from your sample.

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Dna Paternity Testing: Submitting Non-standard Samples (part 1)

DNA Paternity testing is the most accurate way of confirming biological relationships between individuals. The standard way of collecting samples from the individuals to be tested is through the use of oral/buccal swabs. Buccal swabs are relatively easy to use and pain-free since the procedure involves simply rubbing the swab on the inside of the mouth to collect a saliva sample. In addition, they can be easily sent by post to the client when they order a test. Hence, they provide an excellent medium to obtain DNA from an individual.

However, occasions arise when it is not possible to obtain the sample directly from the individual, as for example in the case of a dead or missing person or samples collected from a crime scene. Therefore, in such cases, it is possible to utilise alternative samples (defined as non-standard samples), to obtain the DNA of a person for the purpose of DNA Testing.

The following list provides information about a number of non-standard samples that can be used to obtain DNA for testing purposes.

1. Direct Biological Samples

Hair

Any hair submitted must have roots or the follicle attached. Hair that is cut will not produce significant DNA. When submitting a hair sample, one must make sure not to touch the part with the follicle as much as possible to avoid contamination. The hair can be sent in a normal plastic or paper envelope and marked clearly as a non-standard sample. The lab will normally require a minimum of 6-10 hairs (or as many as possible) depending on what is available. The more the hairs available, the more the chance of obtaining a DNA profile from them.

Blood

Blood samples can take various forms including whole blood, blood spots on paper or other material (tissues, clothing, and furniture), dried blood etc. Blood used to be the most common form of submitting DNA samples for DNA paternity testing until the advent of buccal swabs. It now rarely requested as it is an invasive procedure as opposed to the non-invasive and painless nature of a buccal swab. Fresh blood sent in a normal tube will provide a more than enough sample for obtaining DNA. In cases where blood is sent as spots on some form of material, then the success of the extraction will depend on the state of the blood and whether it has been exposed to possible contamination such as the elements, human contamination and/or chemical agents.

Nails

It is also possible to extract DNA from Nails. Freshly trimmed nails work best and have the highest chance of success. Nails are normally recommended (apart from hair) in cases where the person has recently died. It is important to handle the nails with minimal direct contact as possible to avoid contamination. The nails can be sent in a normal plastic or paper envelope and marked clearly as a non-standard sample.

Sperm

In the case of liquid semen, it is recommended that the sample is absorbed through a clean cotton swab and air-dried for about one hour. In the case of dried semen stains, either send the material directly to the laboratory or else absorb the stain onto a clean cotton swab moistened with distilled water. Then air-dry for about an hour. The samples can then be sent in sent in a normal plastic or paper envelope and marked clearly as a non-standard sample.

Bone

Bone samples are one of the most difficult materials to obtain DNA from and not all DNA laboratories offer the service. The success rate will depend on the condition of the bones (e.g. how long the person has been dead, how his body has been preserved etc). When submitting bone samples it is normally recommend that fragments from the shaft of the femur or humerus are obtained weighing approximately 2 grams per individual. It is recommended that the laboratory processing the sample is contacted prior to taking the samples to discuss the case in advance. Collection of samples should be performed by a qualified person.

2. Everyday items that may contain DNA for testing purposes

Cigarette Butt

Cigarette butts can be an excellent source of DNA if the sample has not been contaminated. The more the cigarette has been smoked the more DNA is likely to be available. If the cigarette has been shared it is likely that a mixed DNA profile will be obtained, in which case more specialised analysis will be required to separate the profiles. The client should make sure that the sample is not handled from the end used to inhale the smoke. Ideally the client will submit 2-4 cigarette butts if available. The butt can be sent in a normal plastic or paper envelope and marked clearly as a non-standard sample.

Toothbrush

A toothbrush can be a good source of DNA if the sample has not been contaminated. The more the toothbrush has been used the more DNA is likely to be available. If the toothbrush has been shared it is possible that a mixed DNA profile will be obtained in which case more specialised analysis will be required. The client should make sure that the sample is not handled from the end of the bristles to avoid contamination. Also the brush should be air dried for about 30-60 minutes to ensure that it is properly dried before sending to the laboratory. The toothbrush can be sent in a normal plastic or paper envelope and marked clearly as a non-standard sample.

Envelope and Stamp

Licked envelopes and stamps can provide a source of DNA for paternity testing purposes. However, the success rate on this type of sample can very widely since it is not always possible to know if the stamp and envelope have been licked or not. In cases where there has been no contact with a person’s saliva then it is clearly not possible to obtain DNA. Because of this, the sample is normally classified as having a low rate of extraction success rate. When submitting the sample, it is important to ensure not to touch the seals and the back of the stamp to minimise possible contamination.

Chewing Gum

Chewing gum can be a good source of DNA if the sample has not been contaminated by exposure to contaminating agents. Sugar free gum is preferred to normal type of gum. It is important to try not to touch the gum with the fingers as this can lead to contamination. The gum can be sent in a normal plastic or paper envelope and marked clearly as a non-standard sample.

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Different Methods of Paternity Testing

Paternity testing is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are beginning to realize the many answers that paternity tests can provide and the emotional and financial heartache that they can save a person. Paternity tests can determine up to 99% accuracy whether or not an individual is the father of a child. This can be very helpful in child custody cases when a man is claiming that he is or is not the biological father of a child. Depending on the results of the paternity test, the courts can then either force the man to pay child support payments or they can make it possible for a person to discontinue, or not begin to, pay child support payments. There are a few different methods that can be used to determine paternity and these different tests can be done either postnatal, which is after a baby is born, or prenatal, which is before the child is born.

A postnatal paternity test can be done by collecting a DNA sample from both the man in question and the child. This can be done through the collection and testing of blood, a swab from the inside of the cheek, umbilical cord and testing, or through various other kinds of testing such as hair and semen. This is generally considered to be the safest kind of paternity testing as the fetus will not be disturbed while it is still developing in the uterus. However, this is not always possible, or not always the preferred type of paternity testing and so, prenatal paternity tests, which are also considered very safe, must be completed to determine paternity.

Amniocentesis is one form of paternity testing that can be done before the child is born. During this type of paternity test, a doctor will insert a large, thin needle into the mother’s belly and right into the uterus. The needle is used to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid and that fluid will be tested. This is possible because the amniotic fluid contains DNA and can then be matched, or not matched, to the man’s DNA to establish paternity. This test can only be done under the approval of a doctor as there are some risks to the developing fetus. Some of these risks include miscarriage; leaking of amniotic fluid, which can also be fatal to the fetus, bleeding and cramping for the mother; and a very small chance of injuring the fetus. Because the doctor will use an ultrasound to guide the needle, these risks are very small but are present and so should not be done on a woman who is considered to be in a high-risk pregnancy.

Another type of paternity test is a Chorionic Villus Sampling, otherwise known as CVS. This type of paternity test will allow a small tube or needle to be inserted into the woman through the vagina, where it can then collect chorionic villi from the inside of the uterus. These villi are present on the walls of the uterus and contain the same DNA as the unborn child. These villi are then tested to establish paternity.

The method of paternity test that is chosen should always be taken into careful consideration as usually, this is an issue that can wait until after the child is born and doing so will certainly carry no risks to the child or the mother but still provide answers to questions regarding paternity.

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