1st International ICST Conference on Forensic Applications and Techniques in Telecommunications, Information and Multimedia

Research Article

DatatraceDNA®: a novel authentic technology for forensic detections and identifications

  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/e-forensics.2008.2844,
        author={Xinshi Luo and Sivakumar Balakrishnan and Peter Osvath and Gerry Swiegers},
        title={DatatraceDNA®: a novel authentic technology for forensic detections and identifications},
        proceedings={1st International ICST Conference on Forensic Applications and Techniques in Telecommunications, Information and Multimedia},
        publisher={ACM},
        proceedings_a={E-FORENSICS},
        year={2010},
        month={5},
        keywords={sensing technology; security devices; nanoparticles; security markers},
        doi={10.4108/e-forensics.2008.2844}
    }
    
  • Xinshi Luo
    Sivakumar Balakrishnan
    Peter Osvath
    Gerry Swiegers
    Year: 2010
    DatatraceDNA®: a novel authentic technology for forensic detections and identifications
    E-FORENSICS
    ACM
    DOI: 10.4108/e-forensics.2008.2844
Xinshi Luo1,2,3,*, Sivakumar Balakrishnan2, Peter Osvath2, Gerry Swiegers1,2
  • 1: DatatraceDNA Pty Ltd, Suite 9, 19 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086, Australia.
  • 2: CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Private Bag 10, Bayview Avenue, VIC 3168, Australia.
  • 3: Tel: +61-3-95452441 Fax: +61-3-95452446
*Contact email: Xinshi.Luo@csiro.au

Abstract

This paper describes a newly developed forensic marker technology, known as Datatrace DNA (Digital Nanoparticle Authentication), which offers a groundbreaking approach to counterfeit security protection through nanotechnology that is invisibly embedded within the molecular structure of a manufactured product. Extremely tiny quantities of some security compounds (called security markers) can be incorporated into various sensitive materials, such as explosives, identification documents, printing inks and weapons. Each marker possesses unique or unusual properties that are detected by the Datatrace hand-held electronic reader, known as "The Authenticator". As such, the Datatrace system provides a secure and invisible barcode for authentication. The DatatraceDNA® markers are very stable and cannot be destroyed even at 1000 oC, which provides a life-time protection for the labelled products. Therefore, this novel technology offers the potential to reduce criminal activities by deterring counterfeiting and theft, and assisting in the recovery and return of assets that have been stolen.