SelectaDNA deters burglaries at GlaxoSmithKline

(27/11/2009)

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has been using SelectaDNA to mark all of its new issue laptops and high-value projectors at three main sites in Brentford and Greenford (both in Middlesex), and Stockley Park, Uxbridge. Two years after the introduction of SelectaDNA forensic marking at the company's premises in west London, there have been zero on-site burglaries reported.

GSK security manager Brendan Bourke said: “It is excellent news that we can claim such a high on-site theft deterrent rate since we introduced SelectaDNA marking in mid-2007.”

SelectaDNA is a new forensic technology which comes in kit form for domestic and commercial use. The product contains a liquid specifically DNA-coded to each individual customer or company, and which can be easily applied to any items of value. The liquid also contains thousands of unique microdots, allowing the police two ways to identify marked items.

If equipment is stolen and later found, police can link it directly with the crime scene, not only allowing the property to be returned to its owner, but also increasing the chance of convicting the thieves.

Mr Bourke said: “It is not always practical to bolt down expensive equipment such as the projectors we use in conference rooms, so it made sense for us to use SelectaDNA to mark items such as these.

“The marking process is very easy. So much so, that we have given the kits directly to our IT staff and when they are installing new equipment they mark the items at the same time. This means the whole process can be done at source, saving the company a great deal of time and effort.”

He continued: “The thing that really appealed to me about SelectaDNA was the fact that if a marked item is stolen and ends up in a second-hand shop somewhere it is possible for police to scan that item and verify 100% where it came from originally.

“We have made sure that local police are aware that we have been forensically marking our equipment and they are on the look out for anything suspicious.”

Another Selectamark product is also being used at GSK. The company endorses a 'cycle to work' campaign and over 300 bikes belonging to staff members have been security marked using bikeregister kits.

Related topics:  Computer and PC Security   Other biometric systems   Tagging vandalism and theft prevention 

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