DNA marking is a type of

forensic identification Forensic identification is the application of forensic science, or "forensics", and technology to identify specific objects from the trace evidence they leave, often at a crime scene or the scene of an accident. Forensic means "for the courts". Hu ...

. It is a method to mark items in a way that is undetectable to the naked eye. A unique

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid (; DNA) is a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of al ...

marker is applied to the item, and can be recovered to identify the item. In suspected thefts, the suspect can also be tested for traces of the DNA marking. DNA marking can be used to prevent thefts of objects that are hard to mark in any other way (e.g.

copper cable Copper has been used in electrical wiring since the invention of the electromagnet and the telegraph in the 1820s. The invention of the telephone in 1876 created further demand for copper wire as an electrical conductor. Copper is the electri ...

s). It can also be used to help separate between genuine and

counterfeit A counterfeit is a fake or unauthorized replica of a genuine product, such as money, documents, designer items, or other valuable goods. Counterfeiting generally involves creating an imitation of a genuine item that closely resembles the original ...

electronics and other replacement parts.{{cite web , url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/plant-dna-markers-help-the-pentagon-detect-counterfeit-electronics-in-the-military-supply-chain/article/2536616 , title=Plant DNA markers help the Pentagon detect counterfeit electronics in the military supply chain , publisher=The Washington Examiner , date=4 October 2013 , accessdate=25 August 2015 , author=Mak, Tim

References

DNA Crime prevention