DNA testing when a father is deceased, Can it be done?
Yes. There are a few options for children who may need to determine paternity of a deceased father.
How do I get DNA from a dead person?
If you need to determine paternity of your deceased father here are a few options you may have depending on your situation.
1. Acquiring a DNA sample from the coroner’s office. This should be done sooner rather than later. If the coroner has a blood or tissue sample on file you may have a usable sample that can be analyzed.
If there is no blood or tissue sample but, the Doctor has a bone sample or, access to a bone sample. Depending on how long you wait. The DNA in the bone may be compromised. Please consult with the DNA testing company of your choice to better explain to you whether or not this particular option is best for your situation.
2. A Grandparent DNA test is a DNA test that analyzes one or both grandparents to determine a relationship between a Grandparent and alleged Grandchild. This is an excellent option if the parent of an alleged father is deceased.
3. Avuncular DNA Testing is a DNA test that analyzes the DNA of an aunt or uncle with their niece or nephew. This option is a good option if the grandparents are unavailable to perform a DNA test.
If the alleged father does not have siblings then, performing a forensic DNA test may be your only option. Remember, if you are unable to perform an Avuncular DNA test or a Grandparent DNA test. I recommend trying to perform the Forensic DNA test sooner rather than later. This way you will get the benefits of having a better-preserved DNA sample.
Proving paternity after death Social Security
Sometimes a child may be given the option to perform a DNA test for the purposes of acquiring Social Security benefits. The reason for this may be due to lack of proof from the mother of the child that the deceased man is indeed the biological father of the child.
A mother may attempt acquire a court order but, this is normally a difficult task if the deceased father has not been killed via a homicide. Seldom are court orders for deceased parties admitted as evidence for court cases. I would recommend you consult an attorney in your state to get clarity.
Please refer to the options stated earlier in this article for determining paternity. I also recommend that before performing a DNA test that you make sure if your dealing with Social Security or Citizenship office that specify the type of DNA test relationship that will allow in writing. This way you the proper legal chain of custody may be adhered to if necessary.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It should not be taken as legal advice. Please seek legal counsel from an attorney in your state.
