A DNA fingerprinting technology will allow documents to be authenticated with an accuracy of billions to one

The commercial launch of the first ever fool-proof document security system is planned for 2006, reports Marina Murphy in Chemistry & Industry magazine. The system, which uses DNA fingerprinting, will allow documents to be authenticated with an accuracy of billions to one against duplication, according to the Australian scientists working on the system.

The scientists plan to use human DNA in documents such as government bonds, securities, bearer bonds, shares and wills for authentication of documents and verification of document trials.

‘If techniques work out and are generally adopted, this could revolutionise transfer of documents and have a major impact on decreasing money laundering and fraud,’ said researcher Ian Findlay of Gribbles Molecular Science, Brisbane, Australia. DNA fingerprinting would be used to provide proof of a document’s origin and proof of delivery.

A UK police forensic science specialist points out, however, that an accuracy of billions to one is not appropriate when dealing with close relatives, who are, after all, most likely to contest documents like wills.

Chemistry & Industry: http://www.chemind.org