Paternity fraud is where individuals or companies set out to deceive other individuals, companies or agencies of the Government in order to gain some form of benefit. It is not merely, as some sources would have you believe, when a man has been entrapped or duped unfairly by an unscrupulous woman - men perpetrate fraud too! We have even seen cases where 'alleged' children seek to prove a genetic relationship with a recently deceased 'relative'.

As the technology behind DNA testing has simplified (mouth swabs replacing the need for blood samples), along with the growth of the Internet, access to paternity testing has increased - the potential for fraud has grown.

Whilst there are a few highly public cases the lack of available data means that we do not know the true extent of the problem. Classic examples of paternity fraud include the magistrate who sent his brother along to have a DNA sample taken in his place to avoid the responsibility of being declared the father of a child(1) , and the businessman who chose to make up the results(2) rather than send the actual samples off for testing - both ended up in jail.

The advent of 'home DNA testing' where no independent sampler is required has significantly increased the potential to defraud. So, how can you trust the DNA test result?

The first step is to choose a fully accredited testing company who offers what may be termed a 'Legal DNA test' of a 'court approved DNA test'. These are tests which are carried out to independently accredited standards and which ensure that the 'chain of custody' is maintained. The chain of custody guarantees that they are from whom they say they are form and that they have been taken by an independent sampler and have not been interfered with in any way!

You cannot guarantee this with a home DNA test!

An accredited laboratory will put in place a system with a number of checks to ensure you can trust the result.

The Government has an interest, through its responsibility for consumer protection, in setting out the framework for protecting the welfare of those subjected to genetic paternity testing, especially children and this has led to the Dept. of Health's voluntary Code of Practice. If all parties involved in paternity testing follow this code then paternity fraud could be eliminated.

(1) Magistrate Kevin Hall sent his brother in disguise to take a test to avoid having to pay maintenance to his ex-wife.
(2) Simon Mullane ran a DNA testing company called High Profile DNA and when police raided the offices they found 200 DNA samples in a bin -Mullane had chosen to make up the results and pocket the money.