Are the results of a home DNA test admissible in court?

Home DNA kits are getting cheaper every year, and provide a quick, ultra-convenient way to do a DNA test in the privacy of your own home. The questions is are they scientifically accurate? And will the results be valid in legal proceedings?

The answer is a little complex - it depends of the type of test you order, what you need it for, who collects the samples, and which company carries out the laboratory testing. Luckily, help is at hand. This article explains the process in easy-to-understand terms.

Here's a sample of the article:

A simple at-home DNA test, although scientifically accurate, cannot be used for legal matters. How can the court be sure that the samples came from the people you claim? How do they know they weren’t tampered with? How do they know the samples weren’t contaminated?

DNA companies often refer to this kind of test as a ‘Peace of Mind’ test, because that’s all its good for – your own peace of mind. 

A ‘Legal’ test works differently and is usually more expensive – but the results will be legally valid.