The Advantages of Chain of Custody Paternity Tests

The reliability and accuracy of a DNA paternity testaccreditation, in most states, qualifies a laboratory to
depends primarily on two factors: (1) the level ofperform chain-of-custody paternity testing for civil
confidence or certainty that the samples collectedcourt cases (largely family law matters).
and submitted to the laboratory are those of theIf test results may potentially be presented as
intended participants, and (2) the level of technicalevidence in civil matters to any government
competence of the laboratory performing the DNAentity-including family courts, the IRS, U.S. Citizenship
analysis. Of the different paternity testing optionsand Immigration Services (USCIS), Social Security
available to consumers, a chain-of-custody (COC)Administration (SSA), and the U.S. military-or other
test performed by an AABB-accredited laboratoryofficial tribunal such as an Indian tribal council, then
provides the highest level of trustworthiness.tested parties are advised to obtain a COC test and
A "chain-of-custody" (COC) paternity test,to ensure that the testing laboratory is
sometimes called a "legally-admissible" orAABB-accredited. In so doing, participants can be
"legally-defensible" paternity test, is one in whichconfident that their results are trustworthy,
neutral third parties with no interest in the testdefensible in a court of law, and unlikely to face
outcome (1) obtain informed consent and positivejudicial challenge or rejection. Moreover, because
identification-usually an instant photographs and/orsample identification and chain-of-custody is
government-issued photo IDs-for all tested parties,vigorously documented and maintained throughout
(2) collect, label, and package all samples in athe testing process, test participants may be
tamper-evident manner, (3) receive and test theprotected and have legal recourse against the lab in
samples at the laboratory, and (4) document eachthe event of a lab error. While some paternity testing
stage of the testing process to ensure that alabs hold other accreditations that may provide
verifiable, traceable chain-of-custody is maintained.additional assurance of reliability, AABB accreditation is
These procedures not only minimize misidentificationconsidered the gold standard in the industry. In the
and laboratory errors, but they also enable preciseState of New York, paternity tests must be ordered
traceability of each step in the testing process,by a court or physician and performed only by
should an investigation be necessary.laboratories certified by the New York State
Most labs performing COC paternity tests hold oneDepartment of Health. Most, if not all, of these
or more accreditations or certifications that reflectlaboratories are also AABB-accredited. As one might
their proficiency in various aspects of the testingexpect for paternity tests that must comply with
process. In the United States, the most widelystrict regulatory requirements, COC tests performed
recognized accreditation program specific forby AABB-accredited labs are not only the most
paternity testing laboratories is that established andtrustworthy, they are also the most expensive,
administered by AABB. Through regular inspections-ortypically ranging from $400 to $600.
assessments-AABB ensures that the policies,Because the outcome of a DNA paternity test can
processes, and procedures in place at its accreditedcompletely change the course of a life-sometimes
labs adhere to AABB's published Standards formany lives-I believe that the highest priority of those
Relationship Testing Laboratories, which governseeking a paternity test should be obtaining a test
quality control and quality assurance in COC paternitythat they can trust, even if that means spending up
testing. These Standards encompass the qualificationsto $500 for a COC test as described above. If you
and training of staff, procedures for sampledecide that a non-COC test, such as a "home"
identification and chain-of-custody, technicalpaternity test, is the best choice for your personal
proficiency in DNA sample analysis and datasituation, please take the time to consider the
interpretation, validation of tests and instrumentation,relevant concerns, limitations, and risks of your
and handling of incidents, errors, accidents, amongoptions, so that you can take proactive steps to
other issues. AABB is approved by the U.S. Secretaryminimize the concerns and maximize your confidence
of Health and Human Services as a body whosein the test results.