Indiana Police Tap Treated Water to Fight Property Theft

A northwestern Indiana police department on Tuesday became one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to distribute a theft-deterring chemical that leaves DNA-like "signatures" on property and those who attempt to steal it. Makers of SmartWater CSI say the product makes it easy to track stolen items and link thieves to crimes they’ve committed. Although it has seldom been used in the United States beyond Florida, company officials say it’s been used in Europe for several years. "I call it virtual DNA. It specifically ties that item or items to that individual owner. It’s that specific," said Porter County Sheriff David Lain, who began distributing SmartWater through a local senior advocacy group Tuesday.