DNA Test services can provide important scientific information in paternity, kinship and other private investigations. At Nikos Pelekasis & Associates, we assist clients in Athens, Piraeus and throughout Greece with confidential DNA-related investigations and, where appropriate, coordinate with qualified laboratories for the scientific analysis of biological samples.
DNA analysis can establish biological relationships with a very high degree of accuracy when suitable samples are available and the appropriate testing procedure is followed.
However, DNA testing involves particularly sensitive personal and genetic information. For this reason, the circumstances of the case, the lawful basis for testing, the origin of the biological material and the intended use of the results must be considered before proceeding.
With more than 30 years of experience in private investigations, our agency can assist in determining whether DNA analysis may be relevant to a particular investigation and coordinate the investigative aspects of the case with appropriate scientific professionals.
A DNA Test may be relevant in a variety of personal, family and investigative matters.
Depending on the circumstances, DNA analysis may assist with questions involving:
The appropriate type of test depends on the question that needs to be answered and the biological samples available.
A paternity DNA test is used to determine whether a tested man is the biological father of a child.
DNA profiles from the relevant individuals are compared by a qualified laboratory.
Depending on the circumstances, paternity testing may be requested for personal reasons or in connection with a legal matter.
There is an important distinction between a test performed for private information and one intended for official or legal use.
Where results may be required for court proceedings or another formal process, appropriate identification, sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures may be necessary.
Clients intending to use DNA results in legal proceedings should therefore explain this requirement before testing begins.
Although less commonly requested than paternity testing, DNA analysis can also assist in establishing a biological relationship between a mother and child.
Maternity testing may be relevant in circumstances involving:
As with all DNA testing, the appropriate procedure depends on the intended purpose of the results.
DNA analysis is not limited to direct paternity or maternity questions.
In certain circumstances, kinship testing may assist in evaluating other biological relationships.
Depending on the individuals available for testing, this may include:
Kinship analysis can be more complex than direct parent-child testing.
The strength of the conclusion depends on the relationship being investigated, the individuals available for testing and the type of analysis performed by the laboratory.
Sibling testing may be considered when individuals want to determine whether they share one or both biological parents.
Depending on the case, testing may examine whether two individuals are:
Where samples from a known parent are also available, they may provide additional information that assists the laboratory’s statistical analysis.
The laboratory should determine the appropriate testing strategy according to the family relationship being investigated.
In some cases, a direct sample from an alleged parent may not be available.
Depending on the circumstances, DNA from grandparents may assist in evaluating whether a biological relationship exists between family members.
Such testing involves statistical interpretation and should be performed by appropriately qualified specialists.
The availability of additional family members for testing can sometimes strengthen the analysis.
Questions concerning biological relationships can arise during broader family investigations.
These may involve:
A DNA Test may provide scientific information relevant to one part of the investigation, while traditional investigative methods may be required to establish other facts.
DNA analysis should therefore be viewed as one investigative tool rather than a replacement for broader investigation.
Questions regarding biological relationships can sometimes arise in inheritance or succession disputes.
In such cases, the potential legal significance of DNA results makes correct procedure particularly important.
Before testing, clients should consult their lawyer regarding:
Our agency can assist with the investigative aspects of the matter, while legal questions should be addressed by the appropriate legal professional.
One of the most important distinctions concerns the purpose of the DNA Test.
A private or informational DNA test is generally intended to provide information to the individuals involved.
The procedures may be simpler when the results are not intended for official use.
However, even private testing must respect applicable requirements concerning consent, genetic information and personal data.
Where DNA results may be submitted to a court, government authority or other official body, stricter procedures may apply.
These can include:
Clients should inform us from the beginning if the results are intended for legal proceedings so that the appropriate process can be considered.
Different biological materials can potentially contain DNA.
The appropriate sample depends on the type of test, laboratory requirements, sample quality and legal circumstances.
For standard relationship testing, laboratories commonly use controlled samples collected directly from the individuals being tested.
Other biological materials may sometimes contain DNA, but their suitability cannot be assumed.
Factors such as contamination, environmental exposure, age and storage conditions can affect whether a usable DNA profile can be obtained.
For this reason, a laboratory should determine whether a particular sample is scientifically suitable for analysis.
Clients sometimes ask whether DNA can be obtained from an object that may have been used by another person.
From a purely scientific perspective, biological material can sometimes remain on personal objects.
However, the fact that DNA may technically be recoverable does not automatically mean that collecting or testing it is legally permissible.
There may also be significant scientific limitations:
Any such case requires individual assessment before testing is considered.
Correct sample collection is important for reliable DNA analysis.
For standard relationship testing, the laboratory or appropriately qualified professional should provide instructions regarding the required collection procedure.
Where testing is intended for legal use, sample collection may require formal verification procedures.
Improper handling can create problems such as:
For this reason, samples intended for formal proceedings should not be handled casually.
Chain of custody refers to documentation showing how evidence or a sample was collected, handled, transferred and stored.
This can be particularly important where DNA results may later be used in legal proceedings.
Depending on the circumstances, documentation may record:
A clear chain of custody helps demonstrate that the sample tested is the same sample that was originally collected.
Scientific DNA analysis should be performed by appropriately qualified laboratories and professionals.
The role of Nikos Pelekasis & Associates is investigative.
We do not present private investigative assessment as a substitute for laboratory genetic analysis.
Where DNA testing forms part of an investigation, we can coordinate with appropriate specialists according to the requirements of the case.
The laboratory remains responsible for:
This distinction is important for both accuracy and professional accountability.
Modern DNA relationship testing can provide extremely strong statistical evidence when suitable samples are tested correctly.
However, the precise statistical conclusion depends on:
Direct parent-child testing generally provides stronger conclusions than more distant kinship analysis.
The laboratory report should provide the appropriate statistical interpretation rather than results being interpreted informally.
DNA evidence may sometimes form part of a broader private investigation.
For example, an investigation may first involve establishing identities, family relationships, timelines or other factual information before determining whether DNA testing is relevant.
Depending on the circumstances, private investigative work may include:
DNA testing is then used where scientific analysis can answer a specific biological question.
DNA can be particularly important in certain missing-person or identification cases.
However, such cases can involve complex legal, forensic and procedural requirements.
Private investigative work may assist with:
Where official forensic identification is required, this remains the responsibility of the competent authorities and qualified forensic specialists.
Clients sometimes associate DNA testing with suspected infidelity.
It is important to distinguish between evidence of biological relationship and evidence of a relationship between adults.
DNA analysis may potentially answer a specific biological question, such as paternity, but it does not by itself establish the broader circumstances of an alleged extramarital relationship.
Where the primary concern is suspected infidelity, traditional investigative methods may be more appropriate.
If paternity or another biological relationship becomes a legitimate issue, DNA analysis can then be considered separately.
Where the primary concern is suspected marital or partner infidelity, our Infidelity Investigation services can help establish the relevant facts through lawful investigative methods.
Biological evidence can be relevant in serious investigations, but forensic DNA evidence requires particularly careful handling.
Potential evidence connected with criminal activity should not be casually collected, altered or contaminated.
Where biological material may relate to a serious criminal offence, the competent authorities and appropriate forensic professionals may need to become involved.
Private investigative activity should never interfere with an official criminal investigation.
When DNA forms part of a wider investigation, correct Collection of Evidence can be important.
Relevant documentation may concern:
Evidence should be handled according to its intended purpose.
Material intended only for private information may require a different procedure from evidence intended for legal proceedings.
DNA results should be interpreted according to the scientific report issued by the laboratory.
Depending on the test, the report may provide:
The precise terminology varies according to the type of test and laboratory methodology.
Our agency does not alter or reinterpret scientific findings beyond the conclusions provided by the qualified laboratory.
Genetic information is among the most sensitive categories of personal information.
For this reason, DNA-related investigations require a particularly high level of confidentiality.
Information concerning:
is handled with discretion and according to the applicable legal requirements.
DNA contains uniquely sensitive information about an individual and potentially about biological relatives.
The processing of genetic information is therefore subject to strict legal and data-protection considerations.
A legitimate investigative interest does not automatically permit unrestricted collection or analysis of another person’s genetic material.
Before accepting a DNA-related assignment, the circumstances and lawful basis should be evaluated.
Where legal uncertainty exists, advice from a qualified lawyer may be appropriate before testing proceeds.
Under the GDPR, genetic data is considered a special category of personal data and is subject to additional protections and specific conditions for processing.
Consent can be a particularly important issue in DNA testing.
The appropriate requirements depend on:
Testing involving minors requires additional consideration regarding parental responsibility and the child’s rights.
We do not recommend assuming that possession of a biological sample automatically provides legal authority to analyse another person’s DNA.
Paternity and family relationship questions frequently involve children.
Because minors require particular legal protection, the circumstances should be assessed carefully before DNA testing takes place.
Depending on the purpose, issues may include:
Where DNA results are required for a custody, inheritance or other legal dispute, legal advice should be obtained regarding the appropriate procedure.
Clients outside Greece may require DNA-related investigative assistance concerning individuals or family relationships in Greece.
Depending on the case, our agency can coordinate investigative work locally and communicate with international clients remotely.
International cases may involve:
Where DNA results are intended for use by a foreign court, immigration authority or government agency, the client should confirm the specific procedural requirements of that authority before testing.
Legal advice can be important when DNA testing relates to:
A lawyer can advise regarding the legal significance of the test and the procedure required for the results to be considered in a particular proceeding.
Our investigative work can be coordinated with the client’s legal representative where appropriate.
DNA analysis is a scientific laboratory procedure.
Where testing is appropriate, analysis should be performed by qualified professionals using appropriate laboratory procedures.
The laboratory should determine:
Our agency’s role is to assist with the investigative requirements of the case and, where appropriate, coordinate the process with the relevant specialists.
The technical ability to obtain a DNA profile does not automatically create a legal right to do so.
DNA investigations may involve legal considerations concerning:
For this reason, each case should be evaluated individually.
We do not provide or encourage unlawful collection of biological material, unauthorised genetic testing or other methods that violate applicable law.
Nikos Pelekasis & Associates has more than three decades of experience in private and professional investigations.
DNA-related cases frequently involve much more than laboratory testing and may require broader investigation to establish identities, relationships and other relevant facts.
Paternity and family-related investigations involve extremely sensitive personal information.
Every case is therefore handled with particular attention to discretion and confidentiality.
Our role as private investigators can be combined, where necessary, with the scientific expertise of qualified DNA laboratories.
This allows the investigative and scientific aspects of a case to remain clearly separated.
Not every situation requires the same type of DNA analysis.
Before proceeding, the investigative objective, available samples and intended use of the results should be considered.
DNA-related investigations can be coordinated in Athens, Piraeus, Attica and throughout Greece, depending on the requirements of the case.
Yes. DNA analysis can provide very strong scientific evidence regarding whether a tested man is the biological father of a child when appropriate samples and procedures are used.
Potentially. Kinship testing can assist in evaluating relationships involving siblings, grandparents and other relatives, depending on the individuals available for testing.
Potentially, but testing intended for legal use may require specific identity verification, sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures. Clients should discuss the intended legal use before testing.
Biological material can sometimes remain on objects, but scientific suitability and legal permissibility must both be considered. Recovery of a usable DNA profile cannot be guaranteed.
Our agency provides investigative assistance and coordination. Scientific DNA analysis should be performed by appropriately qualified laboratory professionals.
DNA-related cases involve highly sensitive genetic and personal information and should be handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Potentially, but additional legal and consent considerations apply when children are involved. The appropriate procedure depends on the circumstances and purpose of the test.
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, we can assist international clients with investigations involving individuals or family relationships in Greece.
The timeframe depends on the type of analysis, sample quality and laboratory performing the test. A specific timeframe should therefore be confirmed for each case.
If you require a DNA Test in connection with paternity, kinship, family identification or another legitimate private investigation, contact Nikos Pelekasis & Associates for a confidential initial assessment.
Before proceeding, we can evaluate the purpose of the investigation, the individuals involved, the available information and whether specialist laboratory analysis is appropriate.
Where DNA analysis is required, the scientific examination should be performed by appropriately qualified professionals, while our agency can assist with the broader investigative aspects of the case.
Our DNA-related investigation services are available in Athens, Piraeus, Attica and throughout Greece, including assistance for international clients with cases connected to Greece.
Our objective is to provide discreet, professional and lawful investigative assistance while protecting the confidentiality of highly sensitive personal and genetic information.
Nikos Pelekasis & Associates – DNA Test & Private Investigation Services in Greece
Athens | Piraeus | Nationwide Investigations
Athens Office:
39 Stadiou Street, Athens, 10559
Piraeus Office:
36 Iroon Polytechniou Street, entrance from 8 Dragatsi Street, Piraeus Attica, 185310
