»  Is DNA testing for relationships just as accurate as paternity testing?  (Back)

Yes, the accuracy is the same. The test may not be as determinate as a direct paternity test however. With a direct paternity test, the child receives 1/2 of their genetic pattern from their biological mother and half from their biological father. With relationship testing the shared genetic pattern is not as direct, therefore might not be as telling. For example: siblings on average will share 50% of their genetic pattern. Grandchildren will share 25% of their genetic pattern with each grandparent. If this shared information were very common among a similar ethnic group, the result would be less determinate.

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