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Scientists Create "DNA Barcodes" To Thwart Counterfeiters

Zothecula writes "Earlier this year, we heard about a gun and a fogging system, both of which tag criminals with synthesized DNA. The idea is that when those people are apprehended later, they can be linked to the crime by analyzing the location- or event-specific DNA still on their skin or clothing. Now, scientists at the Technology Transfer Unit of Portugal's University of Aveiro are developing something similar – 'DNA barcodes' that can be applied to products, then subsequently read as a means of identification."

2 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Brilliant!!! by king+neckbeard · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't see any way this can possibly fail. We all know it's very difficult for DNA to be replicated, and it certainly isn't self-replicating, so it's not as if some party could obtain the DNA, replicate it, and then place it on their counterfeit product.

    --
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  2. Re:Read "Rule 34" by Charlie Stross by SternisheFan · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's set a few years from now, when police DNA testing is ubiquitous. There was a very clever criminal who stumbled into a crime scene by accident. He had a spray bottle of "Stadium DNA" with him, so he squirted it around the room before leaving.

    And another Kickstarter project is born...