How Can DNA Testing Help an Immigration Case?

DNA testing is routinely used in immigration cases to prove whether a child under 18 is a biological child of or, in some cases, is related to an individual with a leave to remain in the UK. Most DNA tests for immigration reasons are parentage testing (paternity or maternity) but in some cases a grand parentage or avuncular (whether a child is a nephew or a niece of the sponsor) test is employed to prove an alleged relationship.

When the child is outside the UK, a DNA test is normally arranged by an ECO. In such cases, DNA samples are taken from applicants at a post overseas and sent to a UK-based laboratory together with the samples of the sponsor, which in most cases is taken in the UK. If the child is already in the UK, DNA testing could be conducted in a Home Office-appointed laboratory or arranged privately or via solicitor. The DNA testing report provides an assessment as to the nature of relationship between the tested individuals and states the probability of this relationship.

According to the Home Office guidelines, in assessing DNA reports, the question to be addressed is whether the evidence establishes the relevant relationships on a balance of probability. If a DNA report concludes that the probability of a claimed relationship is at least three-times greater than any other relationship, it should normally be accepted as proof of that relationship without further enquiry. If the probability of the claimed relationship is only twice as likely (or less) than any other relationship, the case is usually reviewed as a whole. However, the Home Office admits that even a low balance of probability in favor of the claimed relationship is substantial evidence and should be accepted unless there is strong evidence to the contrary. If relationship was the sole ground on which the application was refused, and it was later established by means of DNA evidence, the Home Office usually concedes the case.

In cases where several children are to be tested, the fact that some children are related to the claimant does not constitute the evidence in favor of other children who were not tested. The application with regards to the latter will be refused on the ground that there is not enough evidence to support the alleged relationship unless DNA testing results prove otherwise.

When DNA testing proves the alleged relationship, the Home Office usually concedes the application however, in some cases, the Home Office has specific guidelines as to their treatment. This applies to cases when the child is related to only one of the parents, or is not related to them at all.

The immigration law treats a case where a child is related only to one of the parents differently. Treatment will depend on whether the child is related to the mother or to the father.

When the child is revealed to be the biological child of the father but not the mother, the Home Office usually seeks an explanation from the family on the following issues:

whether the child has been brought up and lives with the natural mother or the natural father

whether the child's mother is also seeking entry or whether she qualifies for admission

whether the father had exercised sole responsibility for the child's upbringing

whether the father had a previous undisclosed marriage or is in a polygamous marriage

Providing that the father is not in a polygamous marriage, has exercised the sole responsibility for the child's upbringing, and the child's mother is not seeking entry to the UK, the application is usually conceded by the Home Office.

When the child is related only to the mother, the situation is again different. This is a very delicate case and is usually handled with great sensitivity as the child may be illegitimate and the father may not be aware (even if he saw the DNA report). The impact of a disclosure of adultery could be disastrous for the woman. If the child has been brought up as child of the family he or she is usually admitted.

If DNA testing results indicate that the child is unrelated to the claimant, there may still be grounds for the Home Office to concede the application. If there is evidence that the child has been brought up as a member of the family he or she may be qualified for admission as de facto adopted child. In cases where the child is not a biological child of the parents but is related to them, the child may qualify as a dependant of a relative other than a parent.

DNA technology has significantly improved from the times when it was discovered, and now DNA testing has become a gold standard for cases where the relationship between people needs to be determined. Since 1985, thousands of children have been legally admitted to the UK and hundreds of families have been reunited. This can be largely attributed to Sir Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA fingerprinting 20 years ago.

The discovery of DNA fingerprinting 20 years ago has revolutionised the legal profession. Criminal and non-criminal justice systems were handed a very powerful tool to solve crime and resolve civil cases. Understanding how DNA testing can be applied in legal profession will bring benefits to both lawyers and their clients.

Avi was awarded the prestigious Shell Live Wire Entrepreneur of the Year award for his business. Working closely with the charities and various media outlets Avi strives to increase public awareness as to the benefits of DNA testing and the continuing impact that technological advances will have on all our lives.

Learn more about DNA profiling or how you can receive your own free home DNA paternity testing kit.

---

Army Mobile Command Center for UAV Launch

After visiting the Denver RC Modeler Club one day as... Read More

Mini Robots Grid Meteorite Search

We need very much to study meteorites more, but we... Read More

UAVs and The Future Enhancements of Tele-Robotics

Today we have already available UAVs, which will soon have... Read More

MAV Propulsion and Testing

Perhaps we should be looking into advancing the propulsion systems... Read More

Making Diamonds Using The Earth

We can make diamonds using the Earth's inner forces, extreme... Read More

Creating Artificial Time in a Vacuum With Pulsed Lasers

Keying off a very interesting concept confined within Static Quantum... Read More

Laser Ionization Airflow Tunnel Flight Theory

I believe their is a way to have an on... Read More

Energy and America

America is entering into a time of Energy crisis. It... Read More

That Dust on Your Car May Soon Be Smarter Than You Think?

Here is a thought to get this topic started. A... Read More

Aliens in Archaeology

As you read this book you will have to suspend... Read More

Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Mudslides: Extreme Events - What Do They Mean?

In lieu of recent, tumultuous occurrences, people are more compelled... Read More

Aerodynamic Changes Need To Be Made In MAVs; Micro Air Autonomous Vehicles

Aerodynamic changes need to be made in MAVs. Micro-Air Autonomous... Read More

A Review of Scientific American Magazine

From Quantum Black Holes to Neuromorphic Microchips Scientific American Magazine... Read More

Atlantis through Science

ICE AGES: - The impact of the ice ages and... Read More

Saving Private Ryan in Iraq - Stop the Bleeding

I propose that we give soldiers an ultra thin material,... Read More

Surgical Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration Technologies

Plants, invertebrate animals, amphibians and even reptiles have the ability... Read More

Feb. 12 is Darwin Day -- Secular Americans Celebrate Bday of Evolution Champ

This Feb. 12 marks the 196th anniversary of Charles Darwin's... Read More

Crop Circles and Genetic Knowledge

The crop circle enigma is not always a hoax. I... Read More

Is Thought Evident in Plants?

Who would have thought that a plant could be a... Read More

Spray on Dirt for Camouflage

Super sticky spray on dirt or mud simulation coating or... Read More

Mini-Robots, Motherships, Swarm Strategies, Wasps, Ants, Organization and Delivery

Robots are for every one. Tech TV now host Battle... Read More

How A Light Bulb Works and Other Interesting Tidbits

Light Bulb ScienceEver wonder how a light bulb works? I... Read More

Acoustic Transducers and Light Waves for VSTOL, a Concept

Is it possible to use many acoustic transducers underneath an... Read More

Shamans and Their Documented Abilities

Many Shamans will go into a sweat house to get... Read More

The Fertilization Process and Implications of Test Tube Babies

Through the wonders of science, infertile couples who were previously... Read More

RFID Sensors to Protect Water Supplies

Recently the US Military has developed a special set of... Read More

How to Build a Mechanical Bullet Which Turns

A Mechanical bullet, which will turn in flight is well... Read More

Super Volcano: Can The Disaster Be Prevented?

It maybe possible to apply a rogue wave theory and... Read More

Bees Wax; History and Origin

We have often been asked where wax comes from? Well... Read More

Environmental Eco-Terrorists Must Be Stopped

Eco-terrorists assume some how they are helping the environment, by... Read More

Science Fiction by Arthur C Clarke

It is difficult to have a discussion with someone about... Read More

Movin On: Taking Transhumanism in Stride

Back in the seventies, we watched "The Six Million Dollar... Read More

Heads Up Displays and Computer Human Interface

Heads Up Displays For High Tech Human Interface Need More... Read More