LI-made DNA-spray units selling in Sweden

Life just got harder for Sweden's jewel thieves, thanks to a Stony Brook company's DNA-saturated spray system designed to protect jewelry stores from robberies and burglaries.

Applied DNA Sciences Inc. makes SmartDNA spray units, a crime prevention system marketed for stores, warehouses, banks, pharmacies, ATMs -- and any other site where valuables need to be protected.

Now Applied DNA has a new customer, in Sweden -- "a countrywide collaboration involving the Swedish National Police, SKL (National Forensic Laboratory), a large Scandinavian insurance company," and Applied DNA.

"Eight Swedish jewelry stores have installed a total of 15 SmartDNA spray units. Initial installation at all jewelry stores . . . could result in initial revenues of up to $400,000 to Applied DNA with similar renewal fees of $250,000 every 18 months," the company said.

Applied DNA describes its SmartDNA system as "a unique and patented security system based on botanical DNA, a completely new and effective crime protection system . . . [that] contains a water-based, nontoxic spray which may be triggered during a crime, marking the perpetrator and remaining on their person for weeks after the crime."

Each SmartDNA installation is unique "to each store, warehouse or sting operation, allowing the police and prosecutors to link criminals to the crimes," the company said.

Applied DNA has used a similar system of DNA-infused dye packs to help prosecutors jail suspects in cash-transit robberies in the United Kingdom.