DNA testing can be used to examine the relationship between a child and a possible grandparent, although the inclusion of other close relatives in the test is always recommended. A DNA profile will be produced for each person, the profiles will be compared, and a statistical analysis of the most likely relationship will be reported.

Paternity testing using paternal grandparents (because the alleged father is unavailable) should ideally include samples from the child's mother as well as from both paternal grandparents. This will provide the same degree of certainty as if a sample from the alleged father had been tested.

Call Cellmark free on 08000 362 522 for free, confidential advice.

If the mother and only one of the paternal grandparents are available, the test will provide a strong indication of whether the two individuals are related but it cannot provide a conclusive result. The statistical analysis will determine the most likely relationship given the DNA results.

It is possible to just compare the DNA profile of a child and an alleged grandparent, although we prefer that the mother is tested. This can provide an indication of a relationship but, because of the patterns of DNA inheritance, it will not always reveal the true nature of the relationship. Such an analysis can only report the most likely relationship given the DNA evidence.

Summary - the best people to test

First Choice	Mother	Child	Grandparent	Grandparent
Second choice	Mother	Child	Grandparent
or		Child	Grandparent	Grandparent
Third choice		Child	Grandparent

(Please note that if maternity is being investigated the maternal grandparents should be tested)

Call Cellmark free on 08000 362 522 for free, confidential advice.

Cellmark has been providing DNA parentage testing services for 20 years!