SelectaDNA

[3] A code found on an asset or person can be deciphered by a molecular genetic laboratory and identified back to a specific owner or location.

[5] Every marking kit and spray canister has a unique forensic DNA signature which is a series of combinations of A (Adenine), C (Cytosine), G (Guanine) and T (Thymine).

[5] SelectaDNA is used to ‘tag’ valuable property, infrastructure, and criminals, and is available in a number of formats including vehicle marking solutions, Defiance Sprays to deter anti-social behavior and moped-enabled crime, SelectaDNA Trace for metal protection and Intruder Sprays for robbery prevention and transport protection.

Valuable items such as old cars, personal possessions such as laptops or mobile phones, farm equipment, contractor tools, bikes, can be marked with the solution.

[15] 'Operation Meteor', a scheme conducted by The Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (PIER) at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in collaboration with Essex Police, evaluating the effectiveness of property marking to reduce dwelling burglary, found no statistically significant results for all three deterrents (SelectaDNA, SmartWater and Immobilise) due to overall small number of burglaries between November 2019 and November 2020.

A 2018-2019 study based in an English town (West Bromwich near Birmingham) and three control areas evaluated the reduction in burglary numbers where the product was used was up to 83% in the 6 months following the marking kits distribution.

[18] The West Bromwich study suggests that the details of prosecutions of offenders and sellers of stolen goods should be promoted to act as another deterrent.

In February 2022, SelectaDNA kits were distributed to more than 60 farms in South Lanarkshire in Scotland which were previously victims of machinery theft.

[19] The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society has provided additional funds to assist rolling out the initiative in other parts of Scotland.

[14] The bike markings can be based on QR-code and printed numbers or the SelectaDNA liquid holding the Secured by Design accreditation.