Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: APDN) announces that its
smartDNA anti-theft system will be used by police in Sweden to
deter theft of copper wire and other copper electrical components
in the Sweden national rail system. APDN's smartDNA will be used as
evidence marking on the rail system's often-stolen copper wire and
other parts. Applied to the metal, which has skyrocketed in price
since 2009, a unique, permanent smartDNA mark will forever
associate the specific copper directly to a specific crime. The
plant-derived DNA is extremely robust, and has proven highly
resistant to harsh weather and to criminals' attempts to clean it
from stolen product. Used widely in Sweden and the United Kingdom,
smartDNA has proved a powerful deterrent.
The smartDNA security system will be used on a stretch of rail
track, in a test beginning shortly. Depending on results, the
product could be used nationally on the extensive Sweden rail
system.
"Thieves get DNA on them and at the same time, we can link what
they have stolen to a specific location. Then we can prosecute them
for more serious crime than we do now," stated Harly Nilsen a
Sweden Transport Administration maintenance officer.
Anders Burén, Detective Superintendent and head of the
surveillance unit at the regional Criminal Investigation Department
in Stockholm, agreed with Nilsen, saying "The police are often
successful in finding copper theft suspects, along with their haul
of copper. But, legally, if we cannot link them to a specific crime
we have to let them go, along with the copper itself. smartDNA may
help greatly in this problem."
The initiative was met with approval in the U.S. by the former
chairman of the U.S. National Grid, Robert Catell, who
commented:
"I have been following Applied DNA Sciences for some time and
think this is the beginning of a great application of their
technology. I applaud the creative thinking of the Swedish
Transport Administration and the Swedish Police for their
forward-thinking actions."
Theft of copper has become an enormous problem in Sweden and
globally. Copper is commonly used in critical infrastructure, such
as the rail systems and power grid. On April 10, 2012, rail traffic
connecting Stockholm, Malmö, and Copenhagen was brought to a
standstill after thieves severed the high-voltage overhead lines in
order to steal the valuable copper wire inside. Passengers on ten trains that travel on a stretch of
track on the Southern Main Line (Södra stambanan) in south central
Sweden were forced to disembark.
"We have to view this as a problem for society when the thefts
are so widespread that they can be compared with the sabotage of
important societal infrastructure," Sweden Transport Administration
chief, Gunnar Malm, said in a statement.
The adoption of smartDNA to fight copper theft follows the
decision of the Swedish National Police Board (RPS) to use the
security technology in covert police operations nationwide in
Sweden starting in June. A spray form of the product is already
used in over forty jewelry stores as an anti-intruder system. In
the United Kingdom, a similar, and award-winning APDN system has
been used since 2009 to apply an evidence mark on cash in transit
to and from banks, with great success.
"DNA evidence marking is well proven in the UK, and they have
convictions," said Nilsen. The partnership between APDN, the Sweden
police and the Sweden Transport Administration was facilitated by
Safe Solution AB, a security consultant working on behalf of
APDN.
In the U.S., in a period from 2009-2011, over 24,000 insurance
claims were made for theft of copper.* Over that time and extending
to this month, the market price of copper has skyrocketed by 248%,
from $1.66/lb. in January 1, 2009 to $4.13 on May 1, 2012.** Copper
has become a tempting target for thieves, more than a few of whom
have been electrocuted in theft attempts in the U.S. and Sweden.
Copper theft has been linked by law enforcement authorities to
methamphetamine use and other drug abuse.
smartDNA anti-theft systems are in use in banking and retail
pharmacy in New York, and is available is this country. The
technology has earned praise from U.S. law enforcement and other
officials.
Dr. James Hayward, CEO of APDN stated: "From guitar strings, to
electrical wire, to piping, to original sculptures, and even copper
roofs, our DNA systems will catch thieves, and counterfeiters, and
deter future crimes.
Those considering the smartDNA system are invited to contact
Dave Wigfield, Vice President of Sales, Applied DNA Sciences at
1-631-444-6370.
About APDN
APDN is a provider of botanical-DNA based security and
authentication solutions that can help protect products, brands and
intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from
theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion. SigNature® DNA and
smartDNA®, our principal anti-counterfeiting and product
authentication solutions that essentially cannot be copied, provide
a forensic chain of evidence and can be used to prosecute
perpetrators.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature.
Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future plans,
projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on
assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many
of which are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could
differ materially from those projected due to our short operating
history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance,
market competition and various other factors detailed from time to
time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report
on Form 10-K, filed on December 8, 2011 and our subsequent
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. APDN undertakes no obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new
information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
About Safe Solution AB
Safe Solution AB is a Sweden-based company, which among other
things, provides security management for businesses. Safe Solution
offers a unique experience, both as a customer and a supplier to
large, complex and vulnerable activities. The company has been
responsible for EU certifications of Arlanda and Bromma airports
after September 11. Its successful security strategies have reduced
the number of cash-in-transit robberies throughout the country.
* "Top Five States Reporting Copper Theft," Insurance Networking
News, March 9, 2012. Link:
http://www.insurancenetworking.com/news/insurance-claims-copper-theft-technology-30033-1.html
** Omega - Camden Copper Base Price, International Wire Group.
"Copper Price History for 2012." Link:
http://www.iwgcopper.com/price-history/index.cfm?year=2012
INVESTOR CONTACT: Debbie Bailey 631-444-8090 fax: 631-444-8848
MEDIA CONTACT: Mitchell Miller fax: 631-444-8848 Email Contact FCMN
Contact: Email Contact Web site: http://www.adnas.com Twitter:
@APDN, @APDNInvestor
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