New Castle County officials to use new technology to fight crime

MINQUADALE, Del. (WPVI) -- New Castle County, Delaware, officials announced two new initiatives on Monday.

First, officials unveiled a new tool in the fight against crime.

Technology called DNAnet - a forensic tagging system of sorts - is the first of its kind that will be used to help return stolen or lost property to its rightful owner.

It's an indelible and invisible liquid that puts a unique, plant-based DNA mark on your items so if someone steals it, it's immediately traced back to the owner.

Police call it a game changer in a new age of crime fighting.

"Now we're going to take the next step in science as police changes, policing in America changes, we change ahead of it," said Police Chief Col. E.M. Setting. "With applied science help, the average person is going to be able to mark their property - anything as small as a ring, as big as a car, and anything in between.

"For a little less than $70, we're gonna be able to walk into a pawn shop, identify the property, and take it back and return it to its rightful owner," he added.

Delaware Crime Stoppers also announced it is now offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of anyone responsible for major crimes of violence including homicide, rape and serious assaults.