PATERNITY ASSESSMENT IN NEWBORNS - DNA-TECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL

The paper presents selected examples of paternity assessments with DNA -technological methods in newborns as well as in gemellary studies. In contrast to the serological techniques an early paternity diagnosis i s possible even in the youngest infant, because only small blood volum es are needed for these procedures. The predictive power of two differ ent methods were compared in terms of the probability of proving or ex cluding paternity. The studies were performed with a multi-locus probe and several different single-locus probes. All of the presented cases could be solved with a very high probability of successful determinat ion of paternity by using different analytic systems. On ground of the se observations the examiner should consider carefully which one of th e existing systems he will put to use, in view of the advantages and d isadvantages of each.