Jul 16 2009
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: APDN), a provider of DNA-based security solutions, announced that it has successfully completed additional authentications of recovered bank notes for UK Police forces, assisting in the investigations of alleged perpetrators. In the UK, millions of pounds every year are stolen by criminals targeting cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicles, threatening or injuring CIT couriers, and in some cases, putting the safety and welfare of the public at risk.
Jo Veale, Detective Constable, Metropolitan Police, said, "Cash-in-Transit crime can have a serious impact on the lives of everyday people. We are working in partnership with Loomis and APDN to ensure that the criminals are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The latest statistics from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) show that attacks against CIT couriers remain a serious problem. The need for local police forces to combat CIT crime has also increased the utilization of overt, covert and forensic systems. The use of these systems and other security devices is resulting in a significant increase in the number of offenders being caught and brought to justice.
Tony Benson, Risk Director for Loomis UK, said: "We are fully committed to assist the UK Police with their investigations. We have retained APDN to assist us in forensic authentication and the provision of expert witness statements. SigNature® DNA markers are already helping us link criminals to stained notes, clothing, mobile phones, automotive parts, and any other items that come into direct contact with the perpetrator. Since SigNature DNA is extraordinarily persistent, even the most savvy criminal will not be able to detect or remove it."
Security strategies employed by Loomis UK are supported by APDN to positively identify DNA marked items. Expert witness statements have already been submitted for a number of pending investigations throughout the UK. Being tied to the crime with SigNature DNA marked evidence can dramatically increase the likelihood of conviction.
"The accumulation of APDN's forensic DNA evidence combined with other forms of evidence will ultimately assist us in finding the perpetrators guilty," stated Detective Constable Gavin Wilson, Flying Squad, Tower Bridge.
"The precision of DNA authentication is unequivocal. SigNature DNA markers were first introduced into Loomis UK cash boxes in early 2008 and currently APDN is supplying its SigNature DNA markers to most of the Loomis boxes in the UK. Throughout Europe, Loomis services approximately 30 times their UK volume. We are well poised to respond to the growing need and have already begun expanding our library of SigNature DNA markers and authentication services significantly," stated Dr. James A. Hayward, CEO, APDN.
APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied. APDN also provides BioMaterial GenoTyping™ by detecting genomic DNA in natural materials to authenticate finished products. Both technologies protect brands and products in a wide range of industries and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators.