Avuncular DNA Testing:

Avuncular Test (Aunt/Uncle DNA Test)

An Avuncular Test is a DNA test that determines whether a biological relationship exists between an individual and their potential niece or nephew. This type of testing is particularly useful in situations where a direct parental test, such as paternity or maternity, is not possible. For example, it can help establish family relationships in cases where the alleged parent is unavailable or deceased.

The test works by analyzing the DNA of the aunt or uncle and the niece or nephew to look for genetic markers that indicate a biological connection. The results provide a probability percentage, indicating the likelihood of a biological relationship.

This test can be used for both personal knowledge and legal purposes, such as inheritance claims, social security benefits, or immigration cases. Like other relationship tests, the Avuncular Test requires a strict chain of custody when used in legal proceedings to ensure the accuracy and admissibility of the results.

A mouth swab (cheek swab) is typically used for DNA collection, offering a simple, non-invasive way to obtain samples for this test.