Case Studies

Jamaican DNA launch

by Mark Rowe

A new crime reduction initiative has just launched in Jamaica. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is now using a new DNA forensic property marking system to help deter and reduce burglary on the Caribbean island.

A million dollars worth of SelectaDNA Detector Kits has been donated to the JCF and the system, which involves property marking of valuables, has the support of the Commissioner of Police and the Jamaican government.

In the UK, where the same DNA system is used by many UK police forces, burglary has been reduced in hotspot crime areas.

Kent-based security company Selectamark Security Systems has been working with Shields Crime & Security to establish its SelectaDNA range of products for use on the island by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The Commissioner, Owen Ellington, of the JCF has welcomed SelectaDNA and will use it as part of a strategy to reduce crime including burglary and theft and increase the opportunity to identify and convict offenders. The system was formally launched on Tuesday, January 22, at the Commissioner’s Office in Kingston.

SelectaDNA consists of a range of solutions containing a unique synthetic DNA code which can be used to mark and trace items of property as well as identify those responsible for crime.

The Honourable Minister of National Security Peter Bunting attended the launch, with other members of the Jamaican government, and invited people from the private and public sectors and security.

The Commissioner of Police accepted a donation of one million dollars of operational equipment in the form of SelectaDNA Detection Kits, which were handed over to the JCF by Andy Thorburn, CEO Digicel Jamaica.

This equipment consists of ultra violet (UV) handheld flash lights and microscopes. It will be deployed across the island to be used by officers patrolling the streets, giving them the ability to identify property that has been marked with SelectaDNA.

Mark Shields Managing Director of Shields Crime and Security said: “SelectaDNA will deter criminals from stealing and in the event property is stolen, allow the JCF to identify the owner of the property.”

Shields added that the introduction of SelectaDNA to Jamaica “will create an innovative crime prevention strategy that if you steal, the chances of being caught will have significantly increased.”

Andrew Knights, Managing Director of Selectamark, who was present at the launch, said: “The idea behind SelectaDNA is to deter would-be thieves who know how substances like DNA work. In the UK we know this as ‘the DNA Fear Factor. The uniquely-coded SelectaDNA solution leaves a synthetic DNA trace that will enable the relevant authorities to confirm a person’s involvement at a crime scene and could ultimately lead to arrest and prosecution. I am delighted that Digicel have sponsored the detection kits for use by the JCF to allow them to roll out the SelectaDNA crime reduction initiative across Jamaica.”

Pictured: Selectamark Managing Director Andrew Knights, right, demonstrating SelectaDNA property marking products to media in Jamaica. Photo courtesy of: Selectamark.

About SelectaDNA

Selectamark Security Systems plc sells patented DNA security products. SelectaDNA is available in over 20 countries. For more information visit www.selectadna.co.uk

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