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Missing Parent DNA
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Alliance DNA Support Team
| What happens when the alleged father can’t—or won’t—participate in DNA testing? While it may seem like a dead end, there’s still a reliable path forward. Enter the Missing Parent Test—an effective alternative (not to be mistaken for a Grandparentage Test) that can help establish paternity with confidence. |  |
| A Missing Parent DNA test can help establish paternity by including the following test participants: • Both paternal grandparents • The child(ren) • The child(ren)’s mother (strongly recommended for conclusive results) Important Reminders: • The grandfather should be confident he is the biological father of the alleged father. • The mother’s DNA helps exclude her genetic contribution, leading to more accurate and conclusive results. This is a reliable alternative when the alleged father is deceased, incarcerated, or otherwise unavailable. If you’re unsure whether this test fits your situation, our team is here to help. While a Missing Parent Test with both paternal grandparents is often the first recommendation, there are other testing options available depending on family circumstances: • Avuncular Testing: This compares the DNA of the child with that of a potential aunt or uncle to determine if they are biologically related. Confirm that the alleged aunt or uncle is the full biological sibling to the alleged father. A half sibling is not appropriate to use for this test. • Single Grandparentage Testing: If only one paternal grandparent is available, testing can still be completed with the child and the grandparent. • Siblingship Testing: This evaluates the relationship between two individuals to determine if they are full siblings, half siblings, or unrelated, helping confirm biological connections through the alleged father. These cases can be processed as both legal or informational. It is highly recommended that a child’s mother always be included in these secondary test options, as the risk for inconclusive results is much higher than a standard paternity test or a Missing Parent Test. Results for these test types range between 0 – >99 percent and are described as follows: If a report shows a result between 0-9.09%, the relationship tested is “Not Supported.” For example, if a half sibling test was processed and a result of 7% was provided on the report, this would indicate the two tested parties are not likely half siblings, as the relationship is not supported by the statistical value given. On the contrary if a report shows a result between 90.9->99.99 % then the relationship tested would be “Supported”. For instance, if a Grandparentage test was processed and a result of 93% was provided on the report, this would indicate the tested party is likely the grandparent of the tested child, as the relationship is supported by the statistical value given. Results that fall between 9.09%-90.9% are considered Inconclusive and cannot confirm or deny the probability of the relationship tested. Inconclusive results are more common in cases where the child’s mother is not involved; however, this may at times still occur even when the mother provides a sample. The laboratory is not able to predict whether results will be conclusive or inconclusive; therefore, this is a risk collectors should always communicate clearly to a client who may be considering these secondary test services. Our team can guide you through selecting the best alternative based on the relatives available and the situation’s needs. We’re committed to helping you find answers—even when the path isn’t straightforward! |
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Alliance DNA Support Team