The manufacturer of a technology that will allow police toidentify the origin of stolen heavy building equipment said a dealis in the works for a major insurer to offer a price break toowners that use the marking system.

Identification Technologies at the same time announced yesterdaythey have combined with the National Equipment Register to use theDataDotDNA marking technology and NER's database services to createan identification and registration system to deter equipment theftand aid in its recovery if stolen.

Rohan Claringbold, president of Identification Technologies inSeattle, Wash., said the arrangement being discussed with theinsurer would provide full coverage for equipment and waiver of thenormal $10,000 deductible.

The marker system uses a special paint manufactured by DataDotof Sydney, Australia that he said has been in use for some time inother locations and for other applications.

The system uses thousands of microscopic identification chipscontaining a unique number that is either painted or sprayed ontoeach machine.

Mr. Claringbold said the one-time cost for the paint applicationis $125, adding that it does not affect the mechanics or cosmeticsof the machinery, and is virtually invisible to the naked eye.

Law enforcement authorities can bring up the number by usingblack light and marker scopes that they currently have on hand topick out traces of bodily fluids and fingerprints at crimescenes.

He said that automaker Nissan had been having a problem withtheft of its vehicles' headlights, but after using the ID system itsaw such crimes reduced by 80 percent.

The program with NER will be called Heavy Equipment LossPrevention Technology DNA (HELPtechDNA). Once applied, allHELPtechDNA numbers will be registered on the NER database that isused by police agencies through the country to identify the trueowner of equipment.

Each pot of HELPtechDNA contains the microchips premixed in aspecially designed durable adhesive that contains an ultraviolettrace. When a law enforcement officer shines a black light over anarea where HELPtechDNA has been applied, it will fluoresce,alerting them to their existence.

The equipment registry said once located, the HELPtechDNA numbercan be easily read with an x30 powered magnifier and the ownerlocated on the NER database.

Each kit contains a number of HELPtechDNA Warning Labels andsigns that are placed on the machines and around the premises,sending a clear message to would-be thieves that the machine isidentifiable and traceable by law enforcement.

“With equipment owners suffering from losses on a financiallevel and communities also being affected via additional crimes andillegal activities based on equipment theft, HELPtechDNA is puttingthieves on notice,” said Mr. Claringbold.

NER President David Shillingford added that “the design ofworksites and mobile equipment makes it very difficult to stop adetermined thief from stealing equipment. The most powerfuldeterrent is therefore to increase the chance of detection, arrestand conviction–HELPtechDNA does this. The simplicity of HELPtechDNAmakes it easy and cost-effective.”

Dealerships and distributors who are interested in offeringHELPtechDNA can contact HELPtechDNA at 425-837-1709.