Fathers in Montgomery, Tennessee, may face child custody disputes in divorce cases. Unmarried fathers may also be involved in fighting to gain custody of their children by establishing their paternity. Results from these tests could determine whether a father is the biological parent.
Fathers’ rights are often contested in courts as some may still assume that only a mother can provide a nurturing environment for a child. Courts in Tennessee are now considering shared custody in the best interests of the child in custody cases.
Tennessee fathers who are involved in paternity disputes may want to know that a new computer application may be able to help them. Computer scientists from the University of California, Irvine, have created an app for paternity tests.
The Android application, known as “Pater Noster” (“our father” in Latin), can conduct an on-the-spot paternity test using DNA testing. How does it work? DNA from body fluids, hair and skin holds unique genetic information. DNA data about specific DNA segments can be stored in computers and then compared for two individuals using the app. A paternity match can be determined in less than one second.
This app can change how paternity disputes are resolved in Tennessee. Fathers and legal entities may use this app to determine paternity, and, thereby, establish fathers’ rights regarding their children.
In child custody cases, a father seeking a relationship with his child needs to understand his rights and responsibilities. This information will be necessary to prove in court that a father has an equal right to be part of his child’s life and that this is in the best interests of the child.
Source: eWEEK, “Android paternity test app developed by UC Irvine Computer,” Brian T. Horowitz, Feb. 8, 2013.
