Paternity testing--quo vadis?

The basis and efficiency of paternity testing using conventional markers (alloantigens or electrophoretically defined polymorphisms in blood) for individuals involved in cases of affiliation are shown. A possible use of DNA polymorphisms in paternity cases is discussed. Due to the fact that the formal genetics of DNA polymorphisms have not been fully validated by the analysis of large numbers of informative meioses, it is not yet possible to include these systems in routine paternity testing. As the vast majority of cases can be resolved by conventional markers, the inclusion of DNA polymorphisms is not usually necessary; in some cases, however, they can provide additional information.