Asset & Property Marking

Forensic Marking – A Proven Crime Deterrent

James A Brown
22nd June, 2016
 Agenda
About Selectamark
Security Marking Systems & Databases
Accreditations/Testing
Forensic Marking – Property
Forensic Marking – Offender
Innovation and Working with the Police
Crime Reduction
Company History
Selectamark Security Systems Plc is a leading supplier of property
and offender marking, asset identification, and asset registration
solutions which deter crime and aid recovery of stolen property.

Family-owned company, formed in 1985.

Based on the outskirts of London, in Kent.
Police and Insurance recommended security marking solutions.
Focus on quality, independently tested and accredited products.
Serves customers both directly in the UK and via a network of distributors in
37 countries.
Members of the British Security Industry Association and ADS.
Works closely with Police forces around the world to reduce a number of
crimes including burglary, robbery, metal theft, vehicle theft and cycle theft.
Accreditations & Memberships
Selectamark actively seeks to promote and obtain industry standards to
demonstrate its commitment to delivering security solutions of the highest quality.
Membership:

Certified Management Systems:

Product & Database Accreditations:

Our Brands
Selectamark Security Systems plc range of property marking, asset identification and property
registers, operates under several brands:

SelectaMark offers a full range of visible and permanent chemical etching

products and is relied upon to secure the valuable equipment of many public and
private sector organisations across the world.

SelectaDNA is the global leader in forensic marking, offering a full range of

property and offender marking products combining its unique DNA coding with
microdot technology.

SelectaLabel is one of the leading suppliers of security and asset labels to provide
clients with the ability to identify and track assets throughout their organisations.

BikeRegister is the UK’s national cycle database and the leading online bicycle
marking and registration initiative aiming to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes
and assist in owner recovery.
Secure Property Databases
We also manage a range of asset registers or property databases which conform to the highest
global security and quality standards:

Secure Asset Register is the secure national property register for SelectaDNA
marked products. It allows consumers and business to keep a private and
secure inventory of their belongings and aid in the recovery of property if it is
stolen.

School Asset Register provides schools, colleges and universities with

industry leading, cloud-based solutions to help them manage their fixed asset
registers of ICT equipment and other valuable items.

Equipment Register is a free-to-use national register for tools and

equipment. It provides businesses with a secure, industry leading solution to
log valuable assets so they can be traced by Police in the event of recovery
Security Marking Methods
Benefits
Possibly the most cost-effective way to safeguard assets
Effective – thieves will not choose to handle marked property
Simple – can be carried out by your own employees
Insurance benefits – reductions in premiums
Gives you a chance of stolen or lost items being returned
Gives the Police the ability to prove ownership and secure convictions
Despite this, security marking often gets over-looked
Remember, an asset tag/label won’t deter thieves!
Chemical Etching Systems
Marking kits supplied with personalised stencils, and etching compound, to
mark assets with a unique code or a name and postcode.

2 different options are available

Standard etching
Etching with integrated label

A wide range of materials can be marked with different types of marking

compound:
Compound for plastic surfaces
Compound for painted metal surfaces
Aluminium for bare aluminium surfaces
Metal etching compound
Glass compound
Chemical Etching
What to look for
LPS1225 accreditation - Loss Prevention Standard ‘Requirements for the
LPCB approval and listing of asset marking systems’.
The standard specifies requirements for the composition and performance of an
asset marking system should:
(i)Enable that marked asset to be traced to the legal owner
via a secure database register linked to the marking
system employed, and
(ii) Act as a theft deterrent in the first instance by
virtue of a visible marking.
Secured by Design – In order to be certified by SBD for ‘Asset marking &
recovery’, the company must use a visible marking system certified to
LPS1225.
Thatcham – Motor industry testing protocol for safety and security technology
Security Marking Methods
Security Marking Methods
Security Marking Methods
Forensic Marking / Traceable Liquids
Technologies
Forensic marking solutions all set out to fulfil the same objective, using the same
concept – marking property or criminals with a uniquely coded liquid to prove
ownership of an item and/or to link a criminal to a crime scene. The technologies
can be split in to 2 categories:
DNA-based solutions
Earth chemical-based solutions
Some solutions are supplied with microdots to act as a secondary identifier, which
enables Police to identify assets in real-time.
There are 3 accredited providers of Forensic Property & Offender Marking
solutions:
• SelectaDNA
• Smartwater
• ADNAS
Forensic Marking
What to look for

BSI PAS820:2012 – Laboratory Identifiable Forensic Codes – Classification

of performance when exposed to artificial weathering. The PAS aims to
overcome difficulties that purchasers encounter when assessing the length of
time a forensic code will continue to be identifiable in both indoor and outdoor
environments.

Class. Test life Environment

Grade A External ≥5 years External
Grade A Internal ≥5 years Internal
Grade B External ≥2 years External
Grade B Internal ≥2 years Internal
Grade C External ≥6 months External
Grade C Internal ≥6 months Internal
Secured by Design – In order to be certified by SBD for ‘Forensic Marking’
products, the company must have been successfully tested to PAS820.
How it works
Each product contains its very own unique Forensic Code in every kit
supplied. This code can be forensically analysed in a laboratory to prove
who the registered owner is.

Based on the same DNA technology used by

Police to convict criminals
Patented, secure technology
Manufactured in ISO17025 accredited
laboratory
More robust than biological DNA
Forensic Marking Technology

FORENSIC A UV tracer enables police to detect the presence of the solution

by scanning an item with a UV Light - the mark fluoresces a certain
PROTECTION colour. Each individual kit contains a unique forensic
code/signature.

MICRODOTS Thousands of microscopic dots

(Microdots) which allow the
INSTANT ID Police the opportunity to identify
the true ownership of marked
items within minutes.

SECURE Each DNA code can be

analysed or Microdot read
DATABASE under a microscope to show a
a unique customer code
which can then be entered into the database by the Police to
determine who the owner of the piece of property is.
How to apply the liquid to property
The solution is extremely quick and easy to apply, when following these steps:

Choose an area to be Apply a small amount of the

marked that is hard-to- solution to the item in a
1. reach, i.e. corners &
crevices (Ensure the
4. single layer
The mark should be touch-
area is dry and clean) dry within 30 minutes

Apply one of the tamper

Shake the bottle well resistant warning labels to
2. for 15 seconds before
use
5. the item and warning stickers
to windows and doors as a
theft deterrent.

Dip the applicator into

the solution, ideally Register on the secure
3. ensuring atleast one 6. database
microdot per application
What items can be marked?

Those Forensic Marking systems which are tested to

PAS820 are proven to safely and securely mark many
different types of assets and infrastructure, such as:
Personal Possessions
Office & IT Equipment
Lead Roofs, Copper Cable & other metals
Cars, Motorbikes, Caravans & Boats
Plant, Farming & Construction Equipment
Medical Equipment
Tools and Machinery
High Speed 1 – Case Study
Secure Asset Registers
Forensic Marking databases should conform to the highest global security and
quality standards, ensuring clients' data is kept safe at all times.

LPS1224 Issue 3 accredited

Secure online registration with registration of individual assets
Searchable 24/7 by Police
ISO27001 Information Security Management
Intruder Sprays
DNA Intruder Sprays are an extremely effective commercial burglary and robbery
deterrent, and an ideal way for businesses, shops, banks and other premises to
protect their valuable stock and cash.

A proven robbery and burglary

deterrent used by:

Banks
Jewellers
Petrol Stations
Restaurants
Supermarkets &
Convenience Stores
Transport Companies
Post Offices
Bookmakers
How it works
Spray System Components

Control Box

Standard Sprayheads

Slimline Sprayhead

Aerosol Canister
Spray Installations
Slimline Sprayheads
Functionality
Linked to intruder alarm for out-of-hours
protection
Armed by wired/wireless PA or money clip for
daytime protection
System only fires once movement detected
by PIR
Systems supported by deterrent warning
signs
Canisters should be replaced annually
Some systems have short burst activations
meaning little or no clean-up post deployment
Deterrent Warning Signs
Benefits

Reduces risk of robberies

Reduces risk of commercial burglaries
Increases staff safety
Does not pose a risk to customers
Insurance benefits
Cost-effective
Provides Police with the evidence to convict criminals
Positive knock-on effect on reducing other crimes such as shop-
lifting
Post Office case study

2012 Post Office trial of SelectaDNA Intruder Spray

20 sites across Merseyside chosen due to it being an emerging risk
System set-up to protect against out-of-hours attacks on ATMs
Over 12 months, no attacks on protected sites
Roll-out now taking place for high-risk branches for robbery prevention
Currently approximately 200 systems in use across UK
System replaced existing security measures due to cost and the deterrent
value
Systems now in place for daytime robbery & out-of-hours protection
Zero attacks on protected sites over 3 years
Defence Spray
A Defence Spray is a compact offender marking spray used to deter and
prevent personal attack
The quick-release holster discretely marks skin and clothing, providing the link
between an offender and crime scene.

Compact and light-weight

Easy to use
Belt clip
Proven technology to convict criminals
Invisible marking solution
Police approved
Defence Spray
The ultimate attack deterrent for Police, security professionals, and vulnerable
staff.

Who is the spray kit for?

The SelectaDNA Defence Spray Kit is ideal for anyone who may be subject to
personal attack, such as:
Security guards
Police
Taxi drivers
Door staff
Hospital staff
Public transport workers
ATM Gas Attack Solution
ATM Gas Attack Solution
Forensic Taggant ATM Gas Attack solution is a simple and effective way to
deter attacks on ATMs where criminals use oxyacetylene to force open the
ATM’s safe door.

Rapid deployment
Deterrence
Cost effectiveness
Links attackers to crimes
Requested by the MPS
ATM Gas Attack Solution

Warning signs are a crucial

element of the whole system in
order to alert criminal gangs to
its presence
Criminals know that DNA
links them to crimes they
commit
A3 Foamex signs and A5
window stickers
Detection by Police

Solution detected using

Police UV lights
Swabs taken from skin by
Police SOCOs
Swabs or clothing sent to
laboratory for forensic analysis
Free analysis service to
Police
Each canister of solution is
unique, meaning the offender
can be linked to a specific
crime scene
Police Training
Suppliers carry out regular training sessions with UK Police
Forces in order to ensure they know how to find traces of
forensic marking solutions, and how to take samples to be
analysed.

Training is usually
provided on an
individual force basis
and also through the
College of Policing
and the Scottish
Police College
Police Marketing Campaigns
Marketing – The DNA Fear Factor
Marketing – Police targeting known offenders
Media Coverage – Getting in to the Criminal’s mind
SelectaDNA Search Dog
Police use of SelectaDNA – crime reduction
100% reduction
in burglaries from flood-affected 83% reduction
homes in West Cumbria in burglary in 1000 homes
(2010) in Moston & Harpurhey
(March 2010 – March 2011)
62% reduction
in robberies from shops
in Liverpool
(June 2014-March 2015)
83% reduction
in burglary across Cheshire West.
52% reduction 4000 homes project.
in residential (March-Sept 2015)
burglary in Dudley
(2009-2010)

82% reduction
In cable theft from
Network Rail’s Anglia route
100% reduction (2012-2013)
in rural theft from farms
in Pembrokeshire
(2009-2011)

85% reduction
in residential burglary
100% reduction
across 500 homes in
in metal/boiler theft from
Greenwich
14,000 homes in Swansea
(2006-2007)
(May 2013-March 2015)

87% reduction
in residential burglary in 100% reduction in burglary
66% reduction
South Buckinghamshire from 30 schools and 250
in residential burglary in Guildford,
(Jan-Sept 2010) homes in Rochford, Essex
Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell
(May 2010-Nov 2010)
(April 2010-Oct 2010)
In Conclusion

The greatest fear for criminals is being caught

Property and Offender Marking solutions are so effective in reducing
crime as they link property and criminals to their crimes
Cost-effective solutions
Work alongside existing security measures
Satisfies Insurance Requirements
Proven to assist Police gain convictions
Proven to reduce theft, burglary and robbery
Ensure you are buying accredited solutions – LPS1224, LPS1225,
PAS820