In certain circumstances, the alleged father is either deceased or unavailable for testing. There are several options available:

• Test both Parents of the Alleged Father - Since the alleged father’s DNA has been inherited from his own parents, it is possible to conduct a test using samples from both of the biological parents of the alleged father. Assuming that the relationship between the alleged grandparents and the alleged father is true, and assuming that the grandparents do not have any other son who could be the father of the children, then testing the grandparents is as good as testing the alleged father. Although a grandparentage test can be conducted with only one grand parent, we strongly recommend testing both parents of the alleged father. To order a grandparentage test from Orchid Cellmark, click here or contact one of our sales consultants at 1-866-TEST-DNA (837-8362). 
   
• Test One Parent of the Alleged Father - If only one of the alleged father’s own parents is available for testing, it is possible to obtain a conclusive result but cannot be guaranteed since we are working with only 50% of the genetic make up of the alleged father. To order a grandparentage test from Orchid Cellmark, click here or contact one of our sales consultants at 1-866-TEST-DNA (837-8362). 
   
• Test Multiple “First Degree” Relatives of the Alleged Father – If only one parent of the alleged father is available, the results may not be conclusive. However this test is more likely to succeed if full siblings of the alleged father are also tested. Ideally, it is best to test at least three known biological relatives of the alleged father. To order a kinship test from Orchid Cellmark, click here or contact one of our sales consultants at 1-866-TEST-DNA (837-8362). 
   
• Test Known, Non-Standard Samples from Alleged Father – By using a “known” sample from the alleged father, taken when the alleged father was living, or taken post-mortem, it is possible to test the paternity of his alleged offspring. Such non-standard samples include a pathology or autopsy sample from the hospital or morgue. As long as the sample is released along with a completed Orchid Cellmark Consent and Chain of Custody form, the sample can be accepted for use in a Court Ready test.
  
  Other non-standard samples from the alleged father may be tested. Depending on the Chain of Custody that has been maintained, the results of such testing may or may not be used in a Court Ready test.
   
• Y-STR patrilineal testing – If the alleged child of a deceased alleged father is male, and if a full brother or father of the alleged father is available for testing, it is possible to determine if the child and his alleged uncle/paternal grandfather share the same Y-STR’s. However since Y-STR’s are shared between all males originating from the same paternal lineage, a positive Y-STR result will mean that the male child shares the same paternal DNA as the alleged uncle and all other male relatives who come from the same line of males. This test is useful however if there is only one “known” male relative of the alleged father who is available for testing. Please note that the results of a Y-STR test may not be used in any legal matter unless the results are supplemented with additional DNA markers. To order a Y-STR patrilineal test from Orchid Cellmark, click here or call 1-866-TEST-DNA (837-8362) for more information.