Is It Possible to Perform a Paternity Test After the Alleged Father Has Passed Away?

In instances where the alleged father has passed away, obtaining post-mortem samples enables the establishment of a paternal connection. These samples can be acquired through medical examination after death (such as from a femur bone, teeth, etc.). For missing individuals, personal effects may also be utilized, including items like their toothbrush, garments, cigarette ends, hairbrush, or razor.

Steps Involved in the Testing Process

Typically, a paternity test requires samples from two individuals. However, even in the absence or posthumous situation of the father, testing can proceed by including samples from other close family members (provided they consent). Analyzing DNA from immediate relatives (like parents or siblings) helps in reconstructing the genetic profile of the deceased father. The precision of these tests largely hinges on the directness of the familial link.

Legal Recognition of Test Outcomes

The results garnered through such methods do not hold legal weight in court proceedings. Nonetheless, under French legislation, there is a provision for what is termed an "action for paternity search," a legal avenue designed to ascertain the biological lineage between two parties. For these cases, only professionally obtained post-mortem samples (through an autopsy) are accepted as conclusive evidence.

Important Note

Similar to standard DNA testing, analysis is conducted by comparing genetic markers. These DNA sequences, which remain stable over time, are extracted from various repeating regions. A shared genetic fragment between the child and the presumed father indicates a biological paternity link.