As reported by colleagues from MCN, Scotland Police is increasing the use of specific DNA marking sprays to help combat motorcycle theft and deter “harassing and anti-social” motorcyclists.
The products used are from SelectaDNA, and have been in use since 2018, as Chief Inspector Darren Bruce states: “The use of this marking spray is another tool that officers will have at their disposal to help detect illegal and anti-social activities related to motorcycles.”
“We know that this issue concerns communities and, in recent months and years, we have been carrying out a series of local projects in an attempt to help solve it.”
The prolonged spraying began on Monday, March 18, with officers spraying a fine mist on passing motorcyclists suspected of committing a crime.
The mist cannot be removed from surfaces and has a kind of encoded DNA that provides forensic evidence to link them to a specific crime once caught. This mist covers the motorcycle, the skin, and the clothing of the motorcyclist without causing any harm to the individual.
The spray is invisible to the human eye, but can be seen under UV light. According to authorities, since the sprays were distributed in Edinburgh, they have helped reduce motorcycle-related crimes by 60%.
