DNA Fingerprinting

Parentage Testing, Paternity Test

What Affects the Test

Factors that can interfere with your test or the accuracy of the results include:

• Sample size. The possibility of having inaccurate test results increases if a very small sample of DNA is available for testing. The chance that the DNA will be mixed up with some other DNA is also higher with a smaller sample.
• Having had a blood transfusion within the past 3 months.
• Decay of the tissue sample.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: April 26, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Renee H. Martin, PhD - Medical Genetics
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.