Question of paternity of an adopted child emphasized the need to deploy the DNA test methodology

By means of this judgment the Honorable Lahore High Court, while dealing with a question of paternity of an adopted child emphasized the need to deploy the DNA test methodology. The Court observed: “The medical science has developed a lot in the recent span of life while the Forensic Lab has attained the level of perfection and the skill of expert cannot be denied. A person can tell a lie, but the medical science and its findings based upon skilled tests through most modem devices definity will be an aiding factor for the Court to resolve the controversy. Matching of relationship of one person to the other person through DNA test with the aid of most modern devices, to my mind, is the safest way to depict the true picture of relationship. Throughout the world, these tests have attained a symbol of standard and correctness. It will be highly unsafe to suggest that in Europe and other modem countries, the report of such type of tests is fully followed, but in our society, due to lack of knowledge or unfairness, the result of such type of test is not being given preference. If such an approach is to be kept under consideration, then other test arising out of medical science would also become valueless. We have to trust upon our skill and we have to wait for the result of such a test which is yet to be gathered. Before the said report comes into existence, one cannot say that such report may be unsafe due to lack of skill or defective devices.” “A large number of like nature cases are pending before the Courts of law regarding the adopted child where the inheritance transactions of adoptive parents are under question which may take years to years for its final adjudication. The most modern scientific test (DNA) will definitely be helpful in such like cases too.”

PLJ 2014 Lah. 860

INHERITANCE