Case Studies

School, computer reunited

by Mark Rowe

A school in New Zealand has been reunited with a computer that was stolen thanks to work by New Zealand Police; and DNA.

As part of the BNZ Safer Schools Programme (funded by the Bank of New Zealand), Newmarket school is one of 2,000 schools in NZ that uses SelectaDNA forensic property marking to protect equipment from theft. The computer was stolen from Newmarket School in August 2012 and was recovered, with 450 items, as a part of a police swoop on offenders who were allegedly dealing drugs in exchange for stolen goods including jewellery, laptops and mobile phones. Police were able to ascertain the computer owner because of an orange warning sticker, used to indicate that the item had been marked with SelectaDNA.

Originating in the UK, SelectaDNA (www.selectadna.co.uk) first emerged in 2004 from the security product company Selectamark plc. Since then, SelectaDNA has been in use by homeowners, businesses and schools to protect their property. Some 30 million items have been marked.

SelectaDNA is described as a glue-like substance, virtually invisible, that provides an evidential link between an item and its true owner through a unique DNA code that is embedded in the glue. It has a ultraviolet (UV) tracer that glows bright blue when a UV light is passed over it. NZ police located the DNA using UV torches and had the computer analysed so that the code could be verified. They then linked this code back to Newmarket School via the details held on the SelectaDNA database.

David Morrissey, Director of SelectaDNA in NZ, said: “SelectaDNA is first and foremost a crime prevention tool. We encourage the community to be proactive in protecting their property and not become a victim of crime. We want to prevent theft from occurring, but also as in this instance, be able to give people the chance to get their valuable items back.”

Sergeant Dean McEntee, the School Community Officer for Auckland City, said: “Since the Safer Schools Programme was launched in Auckland last year we’ve noted fewer schools have been burgled which can only be good for everyone – pupils, teaching staff, parents and police – so we encourage the use of any crime prevention initiatives that have such tangible results.”

Newmarket School Principal Wendy Kofoed said: “I have bought my second DNA kit as the quick return of this computer is a good testament to the DNA marking product.”

Visit www.selectadna.co.uk.

Related News

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing