Paternity tests are used to determine whether a biological relationship exists between a child and another person.

Paternity tests are generally used by men to determine if a child conceived by a sexual partner is their biological offspring, or the child of another man.

In Australia, at least 1 in 5 men who question the paternity of their children will have their suspicions validated by DNA testing.

In 2000 a Melbourne man discovered that 2 of the 3 children born during his marriage were not biologically his.

Despite the emotional impact on both the father and the children, this revelation brought with it an additional issue; his ex-wife’s demand for child support caused the Child Support Agency to garnish his pay for 7 years to pay for children that she knew were not fathered by him.

If DNA testing at birth had been available, he would have avoided the unnecessary financial hardships he was forced to endure. Additionally, he would not have faced a lengthy court battle in an attempt to regain his financial losses.