Police in rural England are offering kits that capture DNA traces so locals can mark high-tech valuables such as iPods in the hopes of preventing thefts.
The CSI-worthy plan comes from cops in Fleggburg, an idyllic-looking village of 909 people in Norfolk, England.
Similar to the home kit pictured above, the product made by Selecta consists of a water-based adhesive containing a locked-in DNA code, a UV tracer and a series of microdots which can be easily applied to property “such as a TV or an iPod,” police said.
The fluid marks the property with a unique code which is revealed when scanned with a UV light. The DNA marking allows police to place the burglar at the crime scene, which could increase chances of a conviction.
As gadget muggings increase over traditional break-ins, police are turning to various ID schemes to keep iPods, cell phones and laptops in the hands of their rightful owners. (If online police blotters are anything to go by, criminals find Apple products just as desirable as fans do.)
DNA kit maker Selecta claims that the introduction of kits in rural English areas has cut crime by as much as 30%.
The kits, which retail for £49 (circa $73), will be given away to Fleggburg residents on Wednesday, March 31, in the Village Hall parking lot between 7pm and 8pm.
Do you think DNA-gathering goop can keep your iPhone or iPod safe?
Via Norfolk Police
