Synthetic DNA spray glows bright blue under the new UV light installed in Hamilton Central Police station's watch house.
Synthetic DNA spray glows bright blue under the new UV light installed in Hamilton Central Police station's watch house.
Hamilton Central is the first police station in New Zealand to install large UV lighting equipment.
Every person processed through the station watch house will be scanned under the light, which was donated by BNZ.
Situated beside the metal detector, the light will show up if a person has syntheticDNA - a forensic marking product - on them. It will also show up other substances such as pepper spray.
Synthetic DNA spray would also show up. The spray is used extensively across the country as a deterrent for would-be burglars.
SelectaDNA marketing manager Alice Baillie said BNZ had installed SelectaDNA Spray systems in its nationwide network of stores and were "enjoying their lowest robbery rates for five years".
The system covers thieves in a fine mist as they exit a store. If the alleged offender is picked up and processed by police, the mist which contains a UV tracer would show up on the person's skin and clothing. A sample of the mist-coated clothing could be sent for analysis by ESR and link the person with an offence at a certain location and time.
SelectaDNA is invisible to the naked eye and can be applied to both items of value and people in the act of committing a crime. Under UV light the DNA product glows bright blue.
Prevention manager for Hamilton Central acting inspector Kent Holdsworth said the lights had already sparked intrigue. "Offenders are already talking about the new lights. They know that if something is there, we'll find it."
SelectaDNA director Graham Zuill was pleased the lights had been given the go ahead by police. "We know that the criminal fraternity talk about SelectaDNA and are suspicious of it. They know that DNA is irrefutable and now these lights can aid police in their investigations."
The product has recently been used extensively in Hamilton during the Police led 'Safe as Houses' project. The project saw 600 homes in Fairfield receive a free SelectaDNA kit as a part of a Crime Prevention Pack designed to make the area safer for residents.
