When police security officers are trained, they’re often told that being able to deter criminal activity is just as important as catching criminal acts already in progress. But can SelectaDNA’s ability to mark criminals with customized DNA unite both ideas like never before?
Imagine this: you have an expensive phone and several people who are present but claim they haven’t taken it. Then you pull out a special UV light and scan everyone’s hands. A-ha! One of the suspects has glowing marks all over his or her hands and they match the profile of your phone’s marks. You’ve caught your culprit.
the UK-based company SelectaDNA presents a unique idea: instead of trying to aggressively apprehend criminals, you can instead mark them with “advanced forensic marking,” or customized synthetic DNA. Later, a UV light programmed to look for that particular DNA marker can be used to reveal the DNA where it made contact on the suspect. DNA marker are traceable for months and can mark suspects in a variety of ways:
- The first is a simple paint, grease or spray that can be applied to any surface. The idea is to protect specific items, so that if they are stolen or disturbed, criminals can be linked to them later on.
- The second is a spray defense system that can mark burglars as they break into a home or business.
- The third is a self defense spray that can be used to ward away or mark attackers/muggers in the street. There’s even a training course approved by the SBD that is provided by Selectamark Security System for those who choose this option.
- The final and most impressive option is a pistol or rifle that can be used by law enforcement. The gun uses “high velocity tagging” to shoot DNA coded pellets and mark fleeing criminals for later arrest.
With all of this in mind, SelectaDNA claims it reduces burglaries up to 83% and has been used in over 30 countries. It also is being billed as something with “a full range of property marking solutions and is ideal for individuals, schools, businesses, hospitals and councils to protect assets and belongings.”
Could this change crime forever? Having an invisible DNA tracer on you sounds like something out of science fiction, and could drastically discourage criminal activity as a deterrent. That is, unless someone could develop a way to counter the marker’s effects. Until then, perhaps this is a method American law enforcement and security should adopt to avoid unnecessary violence and death. It could go a long way to improve detecting and policing methods and to encourage less lethal approaches to apprehension and arrest.
For more information, check out the SelectaDNA website. You can also check out the videos below for an overview on the science and products, and for a police case study from Manchester that involved using the product.
Source: SelectDNA, via World Truth TV and Guns, Gear & Fitness
Overview (via Safe4 Security Group)
Manchester Police Study