Hospital facilities are generally not the primary locations for establishing parentage through genetic testing. While hospitals provide a wide array of medical services, including genetic screening and diagnostic testing, confirmation of biological relationships typically occurs through specialized laboratories. These labs adhere to strict chain-of-custody protocols and accreditation standards necessary for legally admissible results.
Establishing parentage provides numerous benefits, ranging from confirming legal rights and responsibilities to providing a comprehensive medical history for the child. Historically, determining the biological father relied on circumstantial evidence and blood typing, which offered limited accuracy. Modern DNA testing offers a highly reliable method for confirming biological relationships, influencing legal decisions related to child support, custody, and inheritance rights.