Definition

Noun: A scientific procedure, typically analyzing DNA or blood group markers, to determine the biological father of a child. A negative result conclusively proves a man is not the father, while a positive result indicates he could be the father.

Usage

The term is used in legal, medical, and personal contexts to establish biological parentage. - Example: The court ordered a paternity test to resolve the custody dispute. - Example: He took a paternity test to confirm he was the child's biological father.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Paternity Test: A test conducted through an accredited laboratory, often required for court-admissible evidence.
  • Example: The judge required a legal paternity test with a chain of custody for the samples.
• At-Home Paternity Test: A commercially available kit for personal knowledge, not typically valid for legal purposes.
  • Example: They used an at-home paternity test for peace of mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Maternity Test: A test to confirm the biological mother of a child.
• DNA Test: A broader term for genetic testing, which includes paternity testing as one application.

Synonyms

• Fatherhood Test
• DNA Paternity Test

Related Phrases

• To establish paternity: The legal or formal process of determining the father of a child.
  • Example: The primary goal was to establish paternity for child support.
• To contest paternity: To legally challenge the assumption or claim that one is the biological father.
  • Example: He decided to contest paternity and requested a test.

Noun

1. a test based on blood groups to determine whether a particular man could be the biological father of a particular child; negative results prove he was not the father but positive results show only that he could be