My first ever job was at KFC in Merrylands, Sydney. I was back home at Christmas and shocked that they’ve now got bank-style anti-theft barriers. But after only just hearing McDonalds in the same suburb was held up twice while I was in the US covering CES, I can now see why. I also get why Maccas is following the lead of McDonalds Netherlands and using an identifiable DNA-based spray that soaks criminals as they flee the store.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen this in Australia, either — Angus & Coote Jewellery stores employed the technology last year. For its part, McDonalds is trialling SelectaDNA’s invisible and odourless forensic marking spray in their busiest NSW stores. If the system is a success as a deterrent or in catching thieves (using a UVA light police can find markings unique to each store), then it will be rolled out nationwide.
This whole thing gets my head racing. It reminds me of the trouble I got into when I was younger, and that when you think about it, we’re already living in the future. Sometimes you just need to take a step back to realise it.
SelectaDNA says that: Although invisible and harmless, the UV and DNA will remain on an offender for weeks – clinging to fibres and sitting in creases of the skin. It is virtually impossible to remove every trace of SelectaDNA and each trace links criminals to the crimes they commit. Police scan criminals regularly for DNA forensic traces on entry into custody suites making SelectaDNA one of the most effective crime deterents available today.