McDonald's installs a DNA deterrent spray against thieves

[Serpo]

McDonald's installs a DNA deterrent spray against thieves that remains on clothes for up to six months

Spray near door activated by alarm, covering thief in DNA information unique to that crime for several months

Security firm claims that 'criminals are petrified of DNA technology'

By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
PUBLISHED: 05:48 GMT, 12 January 2013 | UPDATED: 12:39 GMT, 12 January 2013


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McDonald's is installing a spray in more than 700 stores which covers thieves in DNA linking them to a specific crime for several months, it has emerged.
The fast food giant is taking the drastic action following a spate of robberies in its Australian outlets over Christmas and New Year.
The burger chain has linked with up with UK security firm SelectaDNA and will now install the system which covers thieves with the invisible, non-toxic spray in all its 780 outlets across the country.
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http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/12/article-2261167-16E2EA67000005DC-311_634x362.jpg Marked for months: The DNA spray glows bright blue under UV light and remains on clothes, even if washed, for up to six months



http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/12/article-2261167-16E2EA53000005DC-980_634x415.jpg McDonalds in Australia have experienced a rush of robberies over Christmas and New Year and are now turning to technological deterrents

If targeted by the spray, police can see the information for up to several months under UV light and the thief is marked by a unique DNA code that links them to a specific crime and location.
SelectaDNA claim on its website that the spray is one of the 'most effective ways to deter commercial burglaries', as 'criminals are petrified of DNA technology.'
The system is usually attached above a door and the spray is synced to a panic button or alarm.





Speaking to News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/business/dna-mcspray-to-foil-thieves/story-e6frfm1i-1226239112219), McDonald's Australia's chief restaurant support officer, Jackie McArthur said: 'Once there has been a security breach, the hi-tech spray unit will douse fleeing robbers with an invisible, synthetic DNA solution.'

SelectaDNA say that the spray contains 'a UV tracer and a unique DNA code, linking them irrefutably to the crime scene.' The solution glows bright blue under police UV torch.


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/12/article-2261167-16E2EA60000005DC-697_634x464.jpg The system is usually fixed above a door and activated by an alarm system or panic button


HOW SPRAY CAPTURES CRIMINALSIn recent years sprays such as this have become an increasingly popular deterrent against crime and anti-social behaviour for businesses and schools.

The system which will be used in the Australian McDonald's stores will be attached above a door and the spray will be synched to a panic button or alarm.

Once the thief is covered in the invisible solution, it will remain on their clothes for up to six months, even if they are washed.

If the offender is captured by police, they will be able to see the unique DNA code under UV light which would link them to the specific crime and location.

It is extremely similar to SmartWater which is used extensively across the UK.


Once marked the information is very difficult to remove. According to the security firm, 'the UV and DNA will remain on an offender for weeks - clinging to fibres and sitting in creases of the skin.'
Alice Baillie, marketing manager for SelectaDNA, told ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/01/mcdonalds-installing-spray-dousing-security-systems/) that the solution can remain on clothing, even if it is washed, for up to six months.

On other items, like bags, hats and weapons, the spray can stay 'indefinitely.'
SelectaDNA director David Morrissey said that 'SelectaDNA is non-toxic, non-allergenic and perfectly safe to deploy. It meets all Australian standards.'
McDonald's has introduced the technological deterrent after a spree of robberies at its Sydney restaurants at the turn of the year. The chain trialled the system in their six busiest outlets in 2012.
A spokeswoman for McDonald's told the Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/maccas-uses-dna-spray-to-stop-robbers-20130110-2ci70.html): 'It's a great deterrent.

'During the trial the restaurants experienced zero robberies and reduced instances of anti-social behaviour.'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/01/12/article-2261167-16E2EA5B000005DC-608_634x396.jpg SelectaDNA, the British security firm who runs the system, claims that criminals are petrified of DNA technology




VIDEO How does it work? Find out more about SelectaDNA...http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2261167/McDonalds-instals-DNA-deterrent-spray-thieves-remains-clothes-months.html

[midnight rambler]

Crime rises when the people are disarmed.

"Oh, but *we* SUPPORT the second amendment!!! We're NOT going to take your guns away from you!!"

[chad]

probably the same stuff the mcnuggets are made out of.

[Glass]

So how do they ensure they spray the thieves? Do they spray them like pepper spraying police do? It has a picture of a device above a doorway. Do they spray everyone who comes in or out? Do they wait until the thief is leaving and then trigger it as they run out the door?

Someone will be designated the Spray guy, like the Fries guy. Take them out and problem solved. Alternatively don't go into a Maccas'. Havent been near one of those in nearly 15 years now. Of course I've not needed to rob anyone either.

[Mouse]

why can't the thief just walk in with an umbrella?

[midnight rambler]

why can't the thief just walk in with an umbrella?

Or just dispose of his clothes.

[Serpo]

why can't the thief just walk in with an umbrella?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47TZ2xpryuI/UAMJC81SvdI/AAAAAAAACXo/wTckfjo5wb4/s1600/homer_simpson_doh-11214.jpg

[Cebu_4_2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cI43qGIRvFo

Thinking about stealing some hamburgers? You might want to think again.
Select McDonald's stores in Australia are now using a special invisible spray (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/dna-mcspray-to-foil-thieves/story-e6freuy9-1226238994344) that douses the hamburglars as they exit certain establishments, the Daily Telegraph reports.
McDonald's decided to test out the system in certain restaurants after a store in Sydney had two robberies in one week. If it deems the technology successful in theft prevention, the company may install the system in other stores.
Although the spray isn't visible to the naked eye, police can see the DNA markings with the aid of a blacklight. The SelectaDNA product stays on clothes for about six months and on skin for up to two weeks.
The spray system has already been used in several McDonald's stores across Britain and Europe, and at least one store in the Netherlands has programmed the spray to go off when triggered by a panic alarm (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/dna-mcspray-to-foil-thieves/story-e6freuy9-1226238994344), according to the Telegraph. Each spray has a special DNA sequence specific to the store where the system is installed.
And bad news for thieves who think they can wash off the incriminating evidence: The spray won't come off their skin, no matter how hard they scrub, the Sydney Morning Herald reports (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/dna-mcspray-to-foil-thieves/story-e6freuy9-1226238994344).
As a the writer for The Escapist Magazine (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115385-Australian-McDonalds-Now-Spraying-Thieves-With-DNA) puts it: "Basically, if you get caught in this stuff, you're screwed."

McDonald's stores aren't the first establishments to use the technology.
Gizmodo Australia notes that several jewelry stores have been using the spray for months (http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/01/mcdonalds-australia-using-anti-theft-dna-spray/). Additionally, the DNA security systems have been implemented at several banks across Europe and New Zealand. (http://www.aolnews.com/2010/10/24/a-dna-spray-keeps-burglars-at-bay/)
The spray, which was launched in 2008 (http://www.selectadna.co.uk/selectadna-anti-intruder-spray.html), is non-toxic and non-allergenic.
A 2010 article by the New York Times looked at the effects of the DNA spray system in a Rotterdam McDonald's (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/world/europe/19rotterdam.html) in the Netherlands. Police told the Times the technology had not resulted in any arrests, but they did suggest the system's warning signs -- placed on doors around the stores -- acted as a deterrent.

[Twisted Titan]

Nothing what a hoodie cant cure


They showed it sprayed on a hoodie and the guys face but the only way something like that would be possible is if the person was being sprayed like mace ....which is highly inlikely because they person that robbing you will probally have a gun.


So that spray might link them to a robbery AND murder.

[Publico]

What a Mcstupid idea.

"But officer, I bought these clothes at the Goodwill two days ago."

[ArgenteumTelum]

Haven't visited a McD's in years. Doesn't one pay for the food before it's handed over the counter or through the drive-up window?
If that's the case, how is theft possible unless stealing from another patron?
Inquiring minds want to know....this doesn't sound right.....

[joboo]

What a Mcstupid idea.

"But officer, I bought these clothes at the Goodwill two days ago."


Eh...same diif, they're gonna round those people up for the detention centers anyways...just saving some time. /sarc ;)

[govcheetos]

What a Mcstupid idea.

"But officer, I bought these clothes at the Goodwill two days ago."

Stop resisting Agnut.... You're coming with us! ;D

[gunDriller]

probably the same stuff the mcnuggets are made out of.

i hope this stuff wears off in your digestive system.

i don't want my McDroppings accused of armed robbery !


i see applications outside of McDonald's - like on Wall Street.

there would be so many Glow-in-the-Dark Banksters, they wouldn't need streetlights.