A subject that was once only brought up in extreme cases and often avoided to prevent scandals, DNA testing has been increasingly sought after by fathers who are uncertain about their babies’ paternity. Many cases that turn to DNA testing are those involving sexual relationships outside of marriage or with people with whom they had no ongoing relationship—just a one-night or two-night affair.

There are also instances of doubt from the mother, even though many claim it’s impossible for a woman not to know who the father of her child is. Some end up having sexual relations with two or more partners on the same day, on consecutive days, or even within very short periods of time where it is impossible to be certain of the exact date of conception. Some calculations about the fertile day and ovulation may help give an idea, but only a DNA test can provide 100% certainty. The DNA test can be performed by collecting blood from the family members involved, through hair strands, and even saliva. The DNA that will be analyzed and used to determine familial connection can be found in the nucleus of any body cell, except for red blood cells, which do not have a nucleus. Otherwise, the same cells found in white blood cells are found in the skin, hair, urine, muscles, and even in bones and are developed right at the moment of conception and never, for any reason, can be altered throughout a person’s life.

Since the 1950s, DNA testing has been studied with caution, and since then it has been proven that through DNA, genes are constituted and familial connection can be confirmed. However, it used to be a very expensive test and was not easily accessible to the general population, who had to live with these doubts for many years, causing internal conflicts, especially for the child involved. But in the last decade, there has been a significant increase in specialized DNA laboratories, which now offer the test at more affordable prices starting at R$ 300.00, depending on the number of people participating, which can affect the final cost.

Where to Get a DNA Test?

The DNA test can also be done free of charge through some universities that provide this service for low-income populations, or even via a court order, where one of the parties interested in investigating paternity can make a legal request for the test to settle the doubt. This last option is currently the most sought after, but it is also the slowest way to resolve the issue. As we know, the speed of the Brazilian justice system does not help the population much. The father or mother interested in resolving the paternity question can seek support from the public defender’s office in their city and request that a judge order the test. Even if one party does not agree to the test, the judge can mandate and require the test to be done to resolve the requesting party’s doubt.

DNA testing is currently the safest method and provides 99.9% accuracy in results. The test can also be done privately, in various labs where the parties involved can arrange for sample collection. The cost of the test varies by laboratory, but ranges from R$ 300.00 to R$ 1,000.00, and the results are usually available within 24 hours.

See also: How to Know Who is the Father of My Child?

Photos: Ju Blasina, Thirteen Of Clubs