It is possible to have DNA testing from prison – clearly, in cases when one of the parties required to submit DNA samples is behind bars. The law may vary from country to country but you will encounter many of the same issues as described in this article.
Prisoners can be tested to establish paternity. However, you might want to begin by contacting the prison itself and see what they tell you. Often they will have a system in place which is specifically designed to assist cases requiring DNA paternity testing on inmates. Often you will need to have the kit send directly to the medical staff employed at the prison and the doctor or nurse will personally collect the necessary DNA samples for the paternity test and send them back to the lab for analysis. The test will need to be a legal paternity test, carried out following certain procedures to ensure the right people are sampled in the right way.
The DNA sampling method involves using mouth swabs rubbed on the inside of the mouth to collect cheek cells. These swabs offer a very high success rate. The samples required are from alleged father, child and mother. The mother’s sample can be omitted from the test, albeit with slightly less accuracy in terms of the paternity test result.
In some cases, you may need to go to court and get the judge to issue an order for it. This is necessary in cases when the alleged father refuses to submit to the DNA test- irrelevant of whether he is in prison or not.
What are the Benefits of Establishing Paternity?
Both father and child have legal rights towards each other. A father has his Paternity Rights. Securing a child’s rights to child support is crucial and a DNA paternity test can ensure this happens. A paternity test can bring a father to accept his child and to foster a father-child relationship.
The Parent in Jail: Can They Ask for DNA Testing from Prison?
Definitely! A man who believes himself to be the father of a child has every right to seek a paternity test. The Child Support Services Department or the equivalent of this in your country can guide you with this. The alleged father will have to show that there was an existing relationship between the mother of the child and himself and then fill out an application for a paternity test which will need to be most likely present to a judge. Even if the mother object to the DNA test, the testing will still go ahead if it is court ordered.
Paternity testing from prison can be a lengthy procedure. Seek full advice from the DNA testing company or correction facility before doing anything.