24
Jan
2013
By Calvin at 13:38 GMT, 13 years ago
Identifying an individual in a crowd or at a distance can be challenging for the police, especially when they’re in riot situations or experiencing crowd control problems.
So SelectaDNA have developed a pistol and rifle (similar to a paint gun), which can fire high velocity DNA pellets at a potential target whilst allowing the police to remain at a safe distance (up to 30-40 metres). By using this new SelectaDNA High Velocity System, a uniquely-coded DNA pellet can be used to mark an individual so that they can be apprehended at a less confrontational time for officers.
Selectamark Managing Director, Andrew Knights, said: "On contact with the target the uniquely-coded SelectaDNA solution leaves a synthetic DNA trace mark that will enable the relevant authorities to confirm or eliminate that person from their involvement in a particular situation and could ultimately lead to arrest and prosecution."
The SelectaDNA High Velocity System comes in two forms - Rifle or Pistol. Both systems offer similar range and accuracy with the real difference being the size, power source and ammunition capacity.
The Pistol is powered by a 12g powerlet offering up to 20 shots per powerlet.
The SelectaDNA pellets are supplied in packs of 14 pellets to a container. All pellets in a pack contain the same unique DNA code and can be used in either the pistol or the rifle.
Calvin says: I reckon this product could be very valuable in riot situations, because it will enable the police to place the criminal at the scene of the crime; no more arguing that it wasn’t him on the CCTV recording anymore! I don’t know if this product’s been bought by police services in the UK and neither do I know if it’s been deployed yet; and I’m not entirely sure if I can even get that information. But if I find out more and I’m allowed to write about it I shall update this post immediately.
