Arkansas

Family Law

Section 9-10-108 – Paternity test

(a)

(1) Upon motion of either party in a paternity action, the trial court shall order that the putative father, mother, and child submit to scientific testing for paternity, which may include deoxyribonucleic acid testing, to determine whether or not the putative father can be excluded as being the biological father of the child and to establish the probability of paternity if the testing does not exclude the putative father.

(2)

(A) Upon motion of either party in a paternity action when the mother is deceased or unavailable, the trial court shall order that the putative father and child submit to scientific testing for paternity, which may include deoxyribonucleic acid typing, to determine whether or not the putative father can be excluded as being the biological father of the child and to establish the probability of paternity if the testing does not exclude the putative father.

(B) If a maternal relative is available and willing to participate in paternity testing, the trial court shall include the maternal relative within its order for paternity testing.

(3)

(A) Upon motion of either party in a paternity action when the father is deceased or unavailable, the trial court shall order that the mother and child submit to scientific testing for paternity, which may include deoxyribonucleic acid typing, to determine whether or not the putative father can be excluded as being the biological father of the child and to establish the probability of paternity if the testing does not exclude the putative father.

(B) If a paternal relative is available and willing to participate in paternity testing, the trial court shall include the paternal relative within its order for paternity testing.

(4) The tests shall be made by a duly qualified expert or experts to be appointed by the court.

(5)

(A) A written report of the test results prepared by the duly qualified expert conducting the test or by a duly qualified expert under whose supervision or direction the test and analysis have been performed certified by an affidavit duly subscribed and sworn to by him or her before a notary public may be introduced in evidence in paternity actions without calling the expert as a witness unless a motion challenging the test procedures or results has been filed within thirty (30) days of the trial on the complaint and bond is posted in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of the duly qualified expert to appear and testify.

(B)

(i) If contested, documentation of the chain of custody of samples taken from test subjects in paternity testing shall be verified by affidavit of one (1) person witnessing the procedure or extraction, packaging, and mailing of the samples and by one (1) person signing for the samples at the place where the samples are subject to the testing procedure.

(ii) Submission of the affidavits along with the submission of the test results shall be competent evidence to establish the chain of custody of these specimens.

(6)

(A) If the results of the paternity tests establish a ninety-five percent (95%) or more probability of inclusion that the putative father is the biological father of the child after corroborating testimony of the mother in regard to access during the probable period of conception, it shall constitute a prima facie case of establishment of paternity, and the burden of proof shall shift to the putative father to rebut that proof.

(B) If the results of the paternity tests conducted pursuant to subdivision (a)(2) of this section establish a ninety-five percent (95%) or more probability of inclusion that the putative father is the biological father of the child, after corroborating testimony concerning the conception, birth, and history of the child, this shall constitute a prima facie case of establishment of paternity, and the burden of proof shall shift to the putative father to rebut that proof.

(7) Whenever the court orders scientific testing for paternity and one (1) of the parties refuses to submit to the testing, that fact shall be disclosed upon the trial and may be considered civil contempt of court.

(8) The costs of the scientific testing for paternity and witness fees shall be taxed by the court as other costs in the case.

(9) Whenever it shall be relevant to the prosecution or the defense in a paternity action, scientific testing for paternity that excludes third parties as the biological father of the child may be introduced under the same requirements as set out in this section.

(b) The appearance of the name of the father with his consent on the certificate of birth, the Social Security account number of the alleged father filed with his consent with the Division of Vital Records of the Department of Health pursuant to § 20-18-407, a certified copy of the certificate or records on which the name of the alleged father was entered with his consent from the vital records department of another state, or the registration of the father with his consent in the Putative Father Registry pursuant to § 20-18-702 shall constitute a prima facie case of establishment of paternity, and the burden of proof shall shift to the putative father to rebut such in a proceeding for paternity establishment.

Ark. Code § 9-10-108

Acts 1955, No. 127, §§ 1-3; 1981, No. 473, § 1; 1983, No. 437, § 1; 1985, No. 988, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 34-705.1 — 34-705.3; Acts 1989, No. 725, § 2; 1991, No. 474, § 2; 1991, No. 986, § 1; 1995, No. 1178, § 1

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