Marking Your Camera Equipment: Saw this on the Today show: https://www.today.com/video/rossen-reports-how-new-dna-tech-can-help-get-stolen-items-back-1418854979983 It appears perfect...

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Saw this on the Today show:

https://www.today.com/video/rossen-reports-how-new-dna-tech-can-help-get-stolen-items-back-1418854979983

It appears perfect for marking camera eqipment. The kit really is only $5.

It allows you to register what you mark. Something I need to do anyway.

trainspotter Loc: Oregon

Nobody gets my DNA without a warrant....NOBODY!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

WOW! Game changer! Nothing to do with your DNA only a catchy phrase. It appears to be only the pin number you assign.
Much better than using an engraver on your equipment.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Fotoartist wrote:

WOW! Game changer! Nothing to do with your DNA only a catchy phrase. It appears to be only the pin number you assign.
Much better than using an engraver on your equipment.

Which causes me to wonder how easy it is to scrape off?

Perhaps casual thiefs wouldn’t know what to look for. And hopefully honest pawn dealers would.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

The question is where do you apply it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

IDguy wrote:

Which causes me to wonder how easy it is to scrape off?

Perhaps casual thiefs wouldn’t know what to look for. And hopefully honest pawn dealers would.

If they saw the article they would..........

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Fotoartist wrote:

The question is where do you apply it.

I thought about that. It is one question. On the camera it is easy...on the bottom. On lenses less so if concerned about the smear. On ipad and iphone on the back. Generally near the serial number because that’s what law enforcement would be looking for.

Other questions are how well does it stick to different surfaces and does it tend to wear off? For the latter you might want to get it in recessed areas.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Sounds alright.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

IDguy wrote:

Saw this on the Today show:

https://www.today.com/video/rossen-reports-how-new-dna-tech-can-help-get-stolen-items-back-1418854979983

It appears perfect for marking camera eqipment. The kit really is only $5.

It allows you to register what you mark. Something I need to do anyway.

I do not think it is all that perfect method for marking camera equipment. I can't imagine police investing the time and money to carefully scan all recovered loot, item by item, with the extremely remote chance that one of the items has been tagged by the rightful owner. Just not going to happen.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

rook2c4 wrote:

I do not think it is all that perfect method for marking camera equipment. I can't imagine police investing the time and money to carefully scan all recovered loot, item by item, with the extremely remote chance that one of the items has been tagged by the rightful owner. Just not going to happen.

Wrong. At least for more rural America. They look for part and serial numbers on recovered loot because knowing where it comes from helps on convictions.

This explains why marking your stuff is better than just recording the serial numbers. In short, it is much easier to get it back:

https://lakewood.advocatemag.com/2006/01/01/ask-a-cop-33/

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

Then there is the after sale of your equipment even here on the HOG

IDguy Loc: Idaho

blue-ultra wrote:

Then there is the after sale of your equipment even here on the HOG

Give the buyer a bill of sale with the S/N and marking number.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

IDguy wrote:

Wrong. At least for more rural America. They look for part and serial numbers on recovered loot because knowing where it comes from helps on convictions.

Yes, serial numbers.
But this is different. This is invisible. This requires a special scanning tool. Only a very tiny fraction of stolen items can be expected to be tagged. Do you honestly believe countless police stations around the country at this very moment are scanning for chemical identification tags on recovered stolen items? No, they are not.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Yes, they are.

You are welcome to ignore it. But please don’t clutter the thread with your incorrect assertions.

Also it forces you to list your equipment: https://protechdna.com/dnatechnology

IDguy Loc: Idaho

In addition, when you report your stuff stolen you would tell them you marked it and have it in the database. And ask if they use the system yet. If they don’t you can get them the kit for free.

Just a bit of personal responsibilty. But only if you’d like to double the chances of getting your stuff back.