McDonalds DNA Spray Used to Catch Thieves
Select McDonalds will deploy a new system to prevent theft, which entails a DNA spray that will mark thieves for up to six months.
The DNA spray will be linked to a panic alarm, and cover suspects as they attempt to flee.
"Once there has been a security breach, the hi-tech spray unit will douse fleeing robbers with an invisible, synthetic DNA solution," McDonald's Australia's chief restaurant support officer, Jackie McArthur, explained.
"The solution is invisible to the naked eye and unique to each location. It stays on clothing for up to six months and on skin for up to two weeks,” she added.
The new spray is actually a DNA strand that is composed of 60 different chromosomes, and is both non-toxic and non allergenic. It is produced by a company called Selecta DNA.
Marketers of Selecta DNA have reported that it can reduce crime by 85 percent, mostly through preventative measures, however, no actual statistics have been provided. The technique, which is new to Australia, has already been applied in various ways throughout the United Kingdom.
Police in Derbyshire used the method to prevent vehicle theft. The DNA Spray was applied to frequently stolen vehicles at an event to make it easier for police to detect stolen cars or car parts. Other homes and businesses in the U.K. have adopted Selecta DNA to protect valuable items.
McDonalds will be adding Selecta DNA to other security devices, which have long been employed, including CCTV camera systems. If the new method is successful it will be adopted by all 780 McDonald locations throughout Australia.
