Relationship DNA Testing
Relationship DNA testing can be performed on individuals that share common relatives, such as siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, cousins, etc.
A relationship DNA test is suited for cases where an alleged parent is not available for the testing of a direct parent-child relationship. This may be because the parent is deceased, unwilling or unable to participate in testing. In these cases, extended relationship DNA testing can be carried out to determine whether there is a relation between the persons being DNA testing.
Extended Relationship Analysis – A DNA profile is created for each of the persons to be tested. A statistical model and database are used to compare the profiles and calculate how likely it is for the alleged relationship to exist.
A Sibling DNA Test can be used to confirm if two alleged siblings share a biological parent
An Aunt and Uncle DNA Test can be used to confirm a biological relationship between aunts and uncles and their nieces and nephews.
Grandparent DNA Testing can be used to confirm a biological relationship between a grandchild and their grandmother or grandfather.
Twin Zygosity DNA Testing can confirm whether twins share the same DNA profile, and therefore are identical or fraternal (non-identical) twins.
The Y-Chromosome Test, or Y-STR test, can help male relatives to establish if they share a biological father or common paternal line. The Y-Chromosome is passed on virtually unchanged through the paternal line and therefore can be used to establish if a relationship exists.
Unlike Paternity or Maternity DNA testing, Extended Relationship DNA Testing cannot give a conclusive result of whether or not a relationship exists between the persons being tested. This is because Extended Relationship DNA tests involve comparing less direct relationships than that of a parent and child. A child will inherit 50% of their DNA from each parent, allowing for a conclusive result to be given in the case of Paternity or Maternity. Extended family members, such as aunts, uncles and grandparents will share a lower percentage of DNA with nieces, nephews or grandchildren.
Instead, the results will show the likelihood of a relationship between the tested persons.
If you are unsure of the DNA test you need, please contact us to discuss your particular case. We can help determine which DNA test would be best suited for you based on what it is you are looking to confirm through DNA testing and what the alleged relationship is between the persons to be tested.
Paternity For Life advises that the results may be inconclusive for an Extended Relationship DNA test. This is not due to laboratory error, but due to the difficulty in comparing DNA between individuals in extended relationships. The more degree of separation between two individuals, the less DNA is shared between the two and the harder it is for our extensively validated DNA tests to distinguish two related individuals from the general population and therefore is more likely to produce an inconclusive result. Paternity For Life does not recommend this DNA testing in cases of more than 3 degrees of separation.
*Please note: No testing costs will be refunded in the case of an inconclusive results.