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SelectaDNA system tags criminals by shooting them with a DNA gun

SelectaDNA system tags criminals by shooting them with a DNA gun
SelectaDNA’s High Velocity DNA Tagging System involves marking criminals with DNA-containing pellets, for subsequent identification and arrest
SelectaDNA’s High Velocity DNA Tagging System involves marking criminals with DNA-containing pellets, for subsequent identification and arrest
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SelectaDNA’s High Velocity DNA Tagging System involves marking criminals with DNA-containing pellets, for subsequent identification and arrest
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SelectaDNA’s High Velocity DNA Tagging System involves marking criminals with DNA-containing pellets, for subsequent identification and arrest
Each case of non-toxic pellets has a DNA code that’s specific to that batch, although all 14 pellets within the case share that same code
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Each case of non-toxic pellets has a DNA code that’s specific to that batch, although all 14 pellets within the case share that same code

Imagine that you’re a police officer in the midst of a riot. While you may be able to apprehend the offenders closest to you, you can see plenty of other looters and vandals who you’re just not able to get to at the moment. Well, that’s where SelectaDNA’s High Velocity DNA Tagging System would come into the picture. At the heart of the system is a gun that shoots non-lethal pellets, which contain uniquely-coded synthetic DNA.

The idea is that when things have calmed down a bit, the police can set about rounding up the wrong-doers who they couldn’t nab when the riot was in full swing. In order to do so, they’d use one of SelectaDNA’s portable microscopes/readers to check suspects for the telltale DNA.

Each case of non-toxic pellets has a DNA code that’s specific to that batch, although all 14 pellets within the case share that same code – this means that the code could be used to tie a suspect to a certain event, but it couldn’t be used to single that one person out from all the other DNA-tagged suspects.

Each case of non-toxic pellets has a DNA code that’s specific to that batch, although all 14 pellets within the case share that same code
Each case of non-toxic pellets has a DNA code that’s specific to that batch, although all 14 pellets within the case share that same code

If someone were hit with one of the pellets on a piece of clothing, they could conceivably avoid arrest by discarding that item. They would have to throw it away, though – SelectaDNA’s Angela Singleton told us that the DNA will remain in fabric through several washings. Cleaning the DNA off of the skin would be considerably more challenging, as Singleton claims that it can remain in skin creases for up to two weeks.

The gun itself is available in pistol or rifle form, both of which are powered by CO2 cartridges. The pistol can squeeze off 20 shots per 12-gram cartridge, while the rifle’s capacity is higher. Both guns allow users to hit targets from a range of 30 to 40 meters (98 to 131 feet).

The company also makes a grease, gel and spray containing the synthetic DNA, for marking belongings against theft or for tagging attackers.

Source: SelectaDNA via Ubergizmo

13 comments
13 comments
Jason Woods
Need to add a tinny action cam to record who your shooting and add an RFID Clip that can stamp the video with exactly what "code" you were shooting that could later substantiate exactly what crime they were committing at the time they were "tagged".
Jon Doughty
the Civilian version of the pistol is the Tippmann Tpx paintball marker, though muzzle velocities may vary but efficiency seems to be the same.
Thunderbird4
Educating everyone and sharing the planet's resources would stop all criminality, (except that from psychopaths, as found in the James Bond films), then there would be no need for misusing our human ingenuity and wasting our time, energy and the earths resources on such gizmos as this.
Jim Cameron
So you need to aim for the face
tampa florida
"Educating everyone and sharing the planet's resources would stop all criminality, (except that from psychopaths, as found in the James Bond films), then there would be no need for misusing our human ingenuity and wasting our time, energy and the earths resources on such gizmos as this."
Thunderbird4
well said
MG48
@ Thunderbird4 - I think you forgot that we are human and not perfect. I do agree with you that we need more/better education and better distibuting of natural resources. I won't say "sharing" because that doesn't exist in a free market. Everything has a price.
LR
I imagine once the pellets can be counterfeited it won't be as easy to prove a tie to a scene as people will work out what dna they got shot with and shoot their neighbours washing line etc.
windykites
Seeing policeman aiming rifles and pistols at a rioting crowd will not go down very well, especially in England, where we are not used to this sort of thing.
Miks Stiefel
Sounds pretty sick like people cutting open their hands and shaking like blood brothers if it hits open wounds. Dna mutations? Post specific formula to be reviewed. Why not stick with co2 powered pneumatic knockout darts?
ralph.dratman
This item should sell well to governments trying to imprison people who have publicly participated in political opposition.
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