Abstract
Parentage testing, also known as relatedness testing, is largely performed using polymerase chain reaction of short tandem repeats. The situations in which relatedness testing can be useful include parentage confirmation for legal cases, or for questions related to adoption, absent parents, or immigration. Sample collection methods depend on the purpose of the testing. Interpretation of the test results focus on exclusion or the likelihood of parentage when exclusion cannot be established, which requires use of standard probability calculations. Molecular testing of genetic systems can provide information to resolve questions of relatedness. Though these tests are powerful tools that can exclude almost all falsely accused parents, the tests alone do not prove absolutely that a relationship exists between two individuals.
*In Memoriam: Herb Polesky
Herb Polesky authored this chapter in the first edition of this book and is coauthor of the chapter in this edition. Herb Polesky died in December 2011 while travelling with his wife Susan in Chile. Herb became active in the field of parentage testing early on and had the good fortune to contribute significantly to the field of Identity Testing as a whole, but especially to the application of DNA-based technology for questioned parentage. Work published by Herb and his collaborators early in the history of DNA testing is classic and moved DNA extraction methods into an era of development, culminating with the fast and efficient methods most laboratories use today. Herb also was instrumental in developing standards of practice, proficiency testing, and accreditation programs for both the American Association of Blood Banks and the College of American Pathologists. Finally, Herb was a teacher. He valued education and was always watchful for opportunities to weave the education process into an activity he was engaged in. While serving on the Histocompatibility and Identity Testing Committee of the College of American Pathologists, Herb endorsed and helped develop a Paper Challenge program which is still submitted to subscribing laboratories as part of their proficiency testing process. Challenges typically represent unusual cases that a laboratory may see occasionally and provide the pathologists and staff with a learning and teaching opportunity.
Such is the legacy Herb Polesky leaves behind for the relationship testing field and those in it who knew and worked with him. He will be missed.
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Allen, R.W., Polesky *, H.F. (2016). Parentage and Relationship Testing. In: Leonard, D. (eds) Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19674-9_55
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