Regulations & EHS&S
Applied DNA’s SigNature DNA evidence helps convict over 130 criminals to date 26th November 2018
Applied DNA Sciences, the leader in large-scale PCR-based DNA manufacturing, is pleased to report that SigNature DNA evidence has resulted in over 131 convictions, with sentences of 625 years to date, and many more cases in the pipeline.
The confirmed number of convictions and sentencing are received from law enforcement officers. Due to internal protocols in some European countries, we do not always receive confirmation of the outcome of criminal investigations; for that reason, we estimate the actual numbers to be significantly higher.
The crimes we help solve with the aid of our SigNature DNA products include attacks against armored car companies, whose activity is commonly known across Europe as “Cash-and-Valuables-in-Transit.” Other types of crimes whose conviction benefits from Applied DNA’s technology include theft of entire vehicles and their components, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) burglary, and theft of goods from businesses and private residences.
The longest-serving distributor of Applied DNA’s security products, SmartDNA Protection Nordic AB, recently won an award from Deloitte Sweden Technology Fast 50, who recognize the region’s fastest-growing technology companies.
Tony Benson, Managing Director EMEA, commented, “We are very active across Europe working with industry and Law Enforcement agencies to help the fight against crime using a well-known, fundamental security principle of ‘Detect, Deter, Defend’. The criminals involved range from low-level burglars to highly-organized and violent criminals with global distribution capabilities.”
One of the robberies in question was solved in part due to the discovery of dye-stained cash found in the criminal’s home. This dye contained a unique SigNature DNA tag which definitively connected the stained notes to the cash box that was stolen from unarmed security guards as they refilled cash machines.
Benson added, “Law Enforcement agencies are very satisfied with the high quality and speed of service we provide. We commit to a 10-day turnaround time from receipt of forensic samples to the issuance of an Expert Witness Report, and we always meet or exceed this commitment. For the last 3 years, our average turnaround time has been 7 days, which we believe is best-in-class by a country mile. We attribute this excellence to the professionalism and dedication of our Forensics team, led by Dr. Ila Lansky.
Dr. Lansky, Director of Forensics, added: ”We recognize the importance of providing accurate and quick service to Law Enforcement agencies, who are often up against deadlines to release suspects on bail. In some countries, suspects skip bail on a regular basis. The Expert Witness Reports we produce and support in occasional court appearances are detailed, accurate, thoroughly documented and accepted by courts around the world. DNA evidence is often featured on “Crime Scene Investigation” programs, and therefore easily explained to the layperson, facilitating its use and strength in conviction.”