What does not excluded mean in a DNA test

It is widely believed that DNA test will provide a simple “yes” or “no” result, however, the truth is that it is more complex than that, with a large majority of tests ending in a “inclusion” or “exclusion” result.

Interpreting A DNA Paternity Test

In most cases a DNA paternity test will provide a conclusive result. An alleged father will either be “excluded” from paternity or “not excluded”. The tests are based on the analysis of 20 genetic markers, each compared separately to obtain a paternity index (the 21st locus is the Amelogenin sex loci to confirm the sex of the donor). These indexes are then combined to produce a Combined Paternity Index (CPI).

What is the Combined Paternity Index?

A Combined Paternity Index (CPI) is derived from the Paternity Indices obtained for each genetic locus tested. The CPI represents the Probability of Paternity (POP) and is calculated on the basis of how common the genetic information found in your analysis is compared with the general population. The CPI can result in a 99.99%+ Probability of Paternity. Both the CPI and the Probability of Paternity should be quoted in a paternity test result.

What Does ‘Inclusion” Mean?

An inclusion is normally reported with a probability of paternity of 99% or more and a match is found at all genetic markers tested. An inclusion report will state that the alleged father “cannot be excluded” from being the biological father of the tested child. These three words often create a lot of confusion and unease, however, it must be noted that a result will never due to scientific reasons report an inclusion at 100%. One must always look at the combined paternity index (CPI) to help make results more understandable.

To make things clearer, it should be known that the absolute minimum to report an inclusion is a POP of 99% and a CPI of 100 (alleged father and child only) or 500 (alleged father, child and mother).

What Does “Exclusion” Mean

An exclusion is reported with a POP of 0.00%. In an exclusion result, it will be seen that with at least two genetic markers, there is a non-match. In an exclusion report, it is stated that the alleged father “was excluded” as being the biological father of the tested child.

When an exclusion is reported, a second, independent test is normally performed to confirm the initial result. Another possibility is that it could be an inclusion with a mutation.

Known mutations have a specific frequency in various racial populations and, often, that frequency is low. So, when the mutation frequency is figured into the formula for calculating the POP, it can possibly cause the POP to fall below 99%. To confirm mutations, it is always recommended that the mother is tested, if she has not already been included, or to perform extended testing of additional markers to help improve the statistical value of the result.

The precise language used in your paternity report is very important but, because it’s also very technical, it can sometimes be hard to understand. The report language is familiar to scientists, lawyers, and judges. To help with understanding your results, we’ve also shown you how they might say it on TV, instead of in a courtroom.

Your Report

IMPORTANT: 

If you did an at-home peace-of-mind test, your report will not show the names of participants: participants are only identified by number and by their role in the test (for example, alleged father or child).

We include names of participants  on the report only for witnessed, chain-of-custody tests. 

Each paternity test report shows the following information:

  • Conclusion
  • Combined Paternity Index (CPI)
  • Probability of Paternity
  • Data table of DNA markers (or genetic systems)

The Conclusion states whether the possible father is EXCLUDED or is NOT EXCLUDED as the biological father (see explanations below). The data table lists the different DNA markers (or “genetic systems”) examined by scientists to create the CPI and Probability of Paternity.

Your Result

If the Conclusion reads, “is EXCLUDED as the biological father,” this means that he is NOT the father because the data in the table do not support a paternity relationship. When a possible father is EXCLUDED as the biological father, the Combined Paternity Index (CPI) is 0 and the Probability of Paternity is 0%.

What does not excluded mean in a DNA test

If the Conclusion reads, “is NOT EXCLUDED as the biological father,” this means that he is most likely to BE the father because the data in the table strongly support a paternity relationship. When a possible father is NOT EXCLUDED, the Combined Paternity Index (CPI) is 100 (or larger) and the Probability of Paternity is typically 99.99% (or higher).

What does not excluded mean in a DNA test

Why do TV personalities say “you are the father” while scientists say you are “not excluded as the biological father”?

Scientists use precise language, whereas TV personalities generalize for dramatic effect. DNA paternity testing uses powerful statistics to create a probability of paternity, and the highest probability possible is 99.99% (not 100%). Saying, “You ARE the father,” implies a 100% probability of paternity, which is technically incorrect.

So, just how powerful is a 99.99% probability of paternity?

A 99.99% probability of paternity is so powerful, that it’s routinely accepted as evidence in favor of paternity by genetic scientists, courtroom judges, and even the U.S. State Department. Although the scientific language is more technical than how they say it on TV, the bottom line is the same: a DNA paternity test probability of 99.99% is strong enough for a judge to confidently allow (or deny) child support, immigration, or even conviction in a criminal case. It’s also why a TV host feels confident enough to say, “You ARE the father.”


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What does it mean to be not excluded?

The result conclusion will state one of the following phrases. Either “not excluded” Meaning the probability of paternity if you are the biological father of the child. Or, “is excluded” which means the probability of you being the biological father is very slim to none.

What does excluded mean on a DNA test?

Exclusion = When the conclusion states, “is excluded as the biological father” this means the tested male IS NOT the biological father of the child, as all data gathered from the test does not support a relationship of paternity.

What does it mean to not be excluded as the father?

If the alleged father is not excluded, this means that the likelihood falls to his being the biological father, and he has not been ruled out of being the biological father. If the biological father is excluded as the biological father, it means that he cannot be the biological father of the child.

How do I read my DNA test results?

The DNA test report you will receive shows numbers (in the first column) that indicate each of the 21 loci involved in the DNA testing process. The columns marked “allele” on the DNA test report contain numbers indicating the two alleles found at each locus (or one number if they are the same size).