Testing — Paternity

: Analyzes fetal DNA found in the mother's blood; can be done as early as the 7th or 8th week .

: Includes amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) , which collect samples directly from the womb but carry a small risk of miscarriage. Legal vs. Personal Tests : paternity testing

Information for Parents on U.S. Citizenship and DNA Testing - Travel : Analyzes fetal DNA found in the mother's

: Kits are available for personal use, but because there is no verified identity chain, results are not admissible in court . Common Uses and Benefits paternity testing

: Laboratories extract DNA and analyze specific regions called Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) or genetic markers.