Paternity Testing Using Genetic Reconstruction
Genetic reconstruction is used to determine if a child is related to an alleged father by using two or more of the alleged father’s relatives in the comparison. A series of DNA tests are conducted in order to make this determination. It is an indirect way to determine relationship when the alleged father is unavailable to donate his own samples for testing. Results from generic reconstruction DNA testing can be used in many ways, most prominent of which is proof of Social Security benefits, inheritance claims, and other trust and estates matters.
How is this achieved?
The child’s DNA profile is compared with the family members DNA profiles. The relatives should be close blood relatives of the alleged father (e.g., brother, sister, mother or father of the alleged father). For genetic reconstruction, although every person’s DNA profile is unique, close relations will share major similarities of their DNA profiles because DNA is hereditary. Because reconstruction is complex, the mother of the child is required to participate in the testing. If she is not available to give her sample, then three or more of the alleged father’s close relatives should participate. Genetic reconstruction is another way to achieve paternity testing; therefore, avuncular testing and grandparentage testing all fall under the genetic reconstruction umbrella.
