April 2012 Archives

DNA Detection is a standard test used by Private Investigators.  In some divorce cases, or even pre-divorce cases, a Private Investigator is engaged by an attorney or direct client to track activities of a spouse.  *  Note - only licensed Private Investigators should be used for any surveillance work as they are familiar with best practices and local laws *

A Private Investigator will then determine whether DNA Testing of garments, household items or other objects would strengthen your case against a spouse, when the time and/or need arises.  DNA Detection provides a report which indicates whether male or female DNA is found on an object.  The Chain of Custody cannot be confirmed by the laboratory in these types of DNA or Infidelity tests, but photographs of evidence, date and time of receipt of evidence can be noted in PI's files and then tracked to client's movement and PIs report.

It should be noted, that assumptions based solely on an indication that semen is present lead to unnecessary and sometimes incorrect relationship changing decisions.  Going one step further and getting the genetic or DNA Profile and then comparing that profile to a known reference sample is imperative for complete Peace of Mind.

Other times, a spouse may believe that a partner is taking controlled substances and they want the partner tested for the presence of drugs.  This issue will more likely arise in a Child Custody and/or Child Visitation action.  If a custodial parent is using illegal drugs - the non custodial parent should inform the court of their suspicion so that proper action is taken.  Drugs and alcohol can be detected in hair, nails, saliva and urine. Each sample has its own requirement in terms of volume and in terms of information available.  Usually an inch of hair can advise activity in the last 60 - 90 days - that is contingent on frequency, volume, any hair treatment chemicals used.  Urine can only provide information for the last 48 hours of activity.  Nails are harder to collect, require more volume than usually collectable (and in most woman nails are not real) - so we do less nail collections but if all else fails, nails are an acceptable method of determining drug and alcohol use. 

Spring is definitely in the air these days - so is the wandering Romeo or Juliet in your life.

A Private Investigator will know which test is best used for your circumstances.  Most PIs have a local connection with a DNA Lady or Alcohol and Drug testing facility - that is private, confidential and affordable.  It is not too expensive to have many of these tests performed but it is best to know which test is more suited to your case.  Always access the experts available and their local contacts.  Don't trust internet sites that only provide  you with an address to go to and get tested - you want to meet and talk to the person who is collecting, you want to know their background - a PI will have a prior relationship with the DNA collectors and D&A specimen collectors and will know who to trust with your private information.

Alert: Missing Child: Infinity Parker, 10, Female, Black, 4ft, 60 lbs.
Last seen: S. Clinton St, E. Orange at 7AM on 4/19.
Hi Guillermo Beytagh,East Orange Police Department seeks your help in
locating a missing child:

Infinity Parker, 10 years old, Female, Black, 4-ft, 60 lbs.

Last seen: Leaving the school yard at S. Clinton Street, East Orange at
7:45AM on Thursday 4/19/12 wearing a burgundy shirt, black jacket and grey
pants.

Instructions:If you have information that can assist in helping safely
locate INFINITY PARKER, please call Detective Caldwell, East Orange PD at
973-266-5030 or 973-266-5000.

For full details, _view this message on the web_
(https://local.nixle.com/alert/4815531/?sub_id=626856) .

The long arm of the law - wow - it really does apply in Child Support Cases these days.  As of yesterday, NJ passed a reciprocal agreement with representatives from Santo Domingo to have  child support collected on behalf of children either living in the USA and whose parent is living in the Dominican Republic or vice versa, where children living in Dominican Republic and a parent has moved to the United States.

The DHS - Division of Child Support will enforce these laws by following up with Paternity claims made on fathers in either country.  Fathers, need to understand their rights and should first know if they are or are not the biological fathers of the children indicated on the child support order.  In the United States, you are automatically considered the biological father of the child, if you were married to the mother at the time of birth.  An affidavit signed by both you, the mother and the real biological father would be needed to have your name removed from a birth certificate, under those conditions.  However, if  you were not married to the mother, and if you do not sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity, usually in the hospital at time of birth, then legally the child does not have a father unless and until you sign paperwork.  As with anything, if you have a doubt about the Paternity of the child, even though this is one of the most joyous times in your life, it is not wise to sign any paperwork until you have a DNA  test performed.  Results are available in as little as 3 business days - and then the family can begin to bond with the baby - if results return with greater than 99% Probability of Paternity.

A simple non-invasive DNA Test can be ordered either through the courts or done privately, using an accredited facility and a  Chain of Custody DNA collection process.  Chain of Custody processing insures that there are no questions regarding accuracy, reliability and participants in the DNA test.  Proper government issued identification is required, the legal guardian of the child (usually the mother) is required to sign on behalf of the child and all three participants are photographed.  The test is complete and results can confirm or deny whether you are the biological father of a child. 

Some families may not want to go through the "assembly line" process associated with Court Ordered DNA Tests - where everyone sits in a room and is called by a docket number to have their DNA collected.  Imagine being a new mom, sitting in a room full of other "new" moms and "alleged fathers" waiting for your number to be called and your DNA to be collected.  Very little privacy is offered - more like cattle waiting to be slaughtered.

Private DNA Collections can be done by families both here in the USA and in Santo Domingo.  Either a local trusted family doctor in Santo Domingo can perform the collection, or if all 3 are on a visit to the USA - all 3 can be tested in a private DNA collector's office.  Offices are available in Perth Amboy and Passaic where there is a concentration of Dominican families.  Spanish translation is available in Perth Amboy offices. 

Birth Certificate Request Form

To obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate, please submit the Birth Certificate Request Form by mail to:

Department of Child and Family Well-Being

Vital Statistics

920 Broad Street, Room 111

Newark, NJ 07102

Contact: (973) 733-6510

Include with the form:

A money order payable to “City of Newark” for $25, with an additional $4 for each additional copy of the same record. NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

A self-addressed stamped envelope (if by mail)

The following documents (copies if by mail):

Valid photo driver's license or photo non-driver's license with current address

OR

Valid driver's license without photo and an alternate form of ID with current address

OR

Two alternate forms of ID, one of which must show the current address:

Vechicle Registration Card

Vehicle Insurance Card

Voter Registration Card

US/Foreign Passport

Immigrant Visa

Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)

Federal/State ID

School ID

Utility Bill or Bank Statement (within last 90 days)

Tax Return/W-2 for current or the previous tax year

If you are looking for a certified copy, proof of relationship is required that establishes that you are:

The subject of the record

The subject's parent, legal guardian or legal representative

The subject's spouse/civil union partner/domestic partner; child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age

A state of federal agency for official purposes

Pursuant to court order

To establish proof of relationship for:

Your own birth certificate: Your valid ID is acceptable; however, if you have assumed your spouse's or civil union partner's surname, provide a copy of your marriage or civil union certificate to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate.

Your child's birth certificate: If the name on your identification matches the name of the child's parent, then your identification will establish your relationship. If your current name does not match the name as recorded on the birth certificate, as the parent you will need to supply a copy of your marriage or civil union certificate or legal name change.

A DNA Test is often used to confirm you are the biological parent of the child.  Have a Chain of Cutody Paternity test performed by an independent, private and accredited DNA Collections facility and have originals sent to the above address.  

Your spouse's/civil union partner's birth record: Provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate.

Your parent's or sibling's vital record: Provide a copy of YOUR birth certificate with parents' names.

Your grandparent's vital record: You must establish that you are the person's grandchild by linking the name on your ID to the name of the grandparent. For example, if you changed your last name after marriage/civil union and want a grandparent's vital reccord, you must:

1) provide your marriage/civil union certificate to show your name at birth,

2) provide your birth certificate to identify your parent, and

3) provide the parent's birth certificate to identify the grandparent.

 DNA Tests are also available to confirm the grand parental relationship.  Call your local DNA collector and explain the circumstances and she'll offer best case test scenario.  Remember that having the proper name of both parents on the birth certificate will not only allow the child to build a foundation but will also provide benefits available to a biological child through both parents.

If you are looking for a certified copy of a record and are:

An executor of an estate: You must supply proof of appointment as the executor.

The legal representative of the executor of an estate: You must supply proof of legal retainer by the executor and proof of the appointment of the individual as the executor.  Perhaps your client has "Banked" his DNA so that after his passing - his children can determine if he was really their biological father and therefore entitled to inheritance and other benefits.

The legal repsentative of an individual that is eligible to receive a certified copy of a vital record: You must supply proof of legal retainer by the eligible individual and their proof of relationship.

If you are not a person qualified to get a certified copy of a record, but:

 You are helping a peron receive a certified copy of a vital record they are eligible to receive: You must show your valid ID and a notarized, written release authorizing you to get the record on that person's behalf, OR you can supply a written release from the person you are helping along with a copy of that person's valide photo ID.

In need of a vital record and are not the legal representative of an eligible person: You must obtain a court order directing the State Registrar to issue a certified copy of the record. A subpoena is not sufficient to issue a copy of a vital record.