In Wolverhampton, police are using a forensic marking product to protect student accommodation and to guard homes that have been targeted by burglars.
Officers with University of Wolverhampton security and accommodation services are offering DNA marking kits to over 500 students in the city.
Using the uniquely-coded DNA liquid, SelectaDNA, officers have been marking student property such as laptops and iPads, which will help them identify the owners of any stolen items recovered by the police. Officers in the suburb of Wednesfield have also used some of the kits on residential burglary victims to reduce the chance of becoming a repeat victim.
PC Adam Davenport from Wolverhampton Investigation Team said: “Burglary is a current priority for us so we are keen to exploit every avenue that could help us solve this kind of crime. When a burglary suspect is brought into custody, our officers use specialist lights to detect the DNA substance and help determine if they are linked to any recently reported offences.”
PC Ryan Hoban, Stolen Goods Officer, added: “Due to the generic nature of some of the stolen items it is crucial that you link your property to yourself. By using products such as DNA marking kits we have a good chance of returning items that we recover.”
Website: www.selectadna.co.uk
