SmartWater: The forensic spray helping keep women safe

[brooklynite]

BBC

The first person in the UK has been convicted and jailed for domestic abuse after being sprayed with SmartWater - a forensic liquid which shows up under ultraviolet light. The technology is being trialled by police forces in the hope of keeping women safe.

The substance stays on skin for up to six weeks and on clothing for much longer and categorically links the perpetrator to the specific batch of water that was sprayed.

The victim, in West Yorkshire, is one of over 200 women across England who now have the forensic deterrent packages in their homes.

The packages include a hand-held canister for spraying, a gel for door handles and gates, and an automatic trap that sprays the liquid if someone approaches the house.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a great idea! Carrying around something like this could make a real difference....

for women who are out late at night, and for many other situations.

Let's get it going over here.

[BComplex]

2. That's exactly what every female on campus and in the military needs!

We need to start providing that to women!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. How does it keep people safe?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Here's how:

The substance stays on skin for up to six weeks and on clothing for much longer and categorically links the perpetrator to the specific batch of water that was sprayed.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. That explains to me how a perpetrator could be linked to a victim. I don't see how it necessarily

keeps a person safe, though.

[Maraya1969]

7. I kind of agree. Pepper spray could stop the perpetrator in his tracks.

[canetoad]

8. It might actually

Work as a deterrent. Of course law enforcement would need to carry through, investigate and prosecute.

[Ohio Joe]

5. That is a cool idea

Bravo to whomever came up with it

[enough]

9. Keeping women safe doesn't seem to be what it does.

It’s evidence to use against an attacker after the fact, should the attacker be found and in custody.

[onethatcares]

10. it's a shame

women need this as an after effect.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. That Name Is Already Trademarked Here

It's that silly alkaline water craze about "better" water. (Actually, in high volume can mess with one's electrolyte balance. High pH is not good for us.)
SmartWater is the biggest seller.
So, it would probably need a different name in the US.