RT Journal
T1 DEtermination of nonpaternity
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1929
FD August 24
VO 93
IS 8
SP 612
OP 612
DO 10.1001/jama.1929.02710080038015
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1929.02710080038015
AB According to the daily press, the aid of medicine is sought almost constantly by the courts to aid in determining paternity. The problem involved is frequently of considerable importance to society and particularly to certain individuals. The time has passed when it is solely a matter of medical interest, and at present wide lay as well as legal attention must be considered. Misconception concerning the possibilities and probabilities of the available mode of examination is widespread, and it behooves physicians to take an intelligent part in creating a proper understanding.As yet it is wholly impossible to establish paternity by means of blood grouping, and this method can be used only in establishing nonpaternity and that only in certain instances. Hooker and Boyd1 have recently discussed the problem on the basis of mathematical probability which for clinical purposes is sufficiently close to actual observations to be considered identical. Proof