In utero paternity testing following alleged sexual assault. A comparison of DNA-based methods.
OBJECTIVE
To compare DNA typing by both variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to determine the utility of each for prenatal paternity testing following sexual assault. To consider ethical issues of limiting prenatal paternity studies.


METHODS
Criterion standard.


METHODS
Prenatal diagnostic clinic after determination of pregnancy following an alleged sexual assault.


METHODS
Ten prenatal paternity cases accepted during a 5-year period.


METHODS
DNA-based paternity testing.


METHODS
Inclusion or exclusion of paternity by consensual partner.


RESULTS
In all cases DNA typing using the PCR-based method provided the same conclusion as that from VNTR-based data. High probabilities of paternity were reported with both methods.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA typing with PCR using short tandem repeat loci provides a reliable method for quickly determining paternity in prenatal cases. The ethics of providing paternity testing in the context of sexual assault is discussed. The issue of providing prenatal paternity testing in consensual relationships is considered.
Hammond
H A
HA
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex 77030, USA.
Redman
J B
JB
Caskey
C T
CT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D010334:Paternity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011902:Rape