How Courts May View a Test for Paternity 

A court might order a test for paternity when there is a custody issue with a child. A test for paternity might be ordered when a state or local "child funding authority" decides to offer benefits to underprivileged child. A test for paternity might be the only solution an investigation into a juvenile crime. Of children born in the U.S. each year, 30% of them do not have a recorded biological father.

Genetic History and DNA Paternity Testing

Before the use of DNA testing was wide spread blood testing was used to eliminate potential fathers. Although this process could be useful for determining if a man was not the biological parent of a child, it could not prove that a man was the father with complete certainty. DNA paternity testing on the other hand provides results that are nearly 100% accurate in determining paternity. The results are also admissible in a court of law for determining paternity, custody, inheritance, as well as for settling immigration issues. The American Pregnancy Organization points out the importance of paternity testing for genetic screening for disease and well-child care.