Tagging system

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for marking a target via projectile motion, comprising a capsule encapsulating a liquid having a marker suspended therein, the capsule being configured to rupture upon impact with a target. Further provided is a device for remote tagging, which device comprises projectile delivery element configured to deliver a projectile to a remote target, wherein the projectile comprises a capsule with an outer casing surrounding a tagging agent, and wherein the projectile delivery element is configured to deliver the projectile at low velocity.

1 . Apparatus for marking a target via projectile motion, comprising a capsule encapsulating a liquid having a marker suspended therein, the capsule being configured to rupture upon impact with a target. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the marker comprises a unique marker. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the marker comprises a substance selected from: a nucleic acid, a peptide, a polypeptide, a rare earth or rare earth compound, a metal or metal compound such as a metal oxide, or a mixture of one or more of the above; preferably the marker comprises DNA, such as botanical DNA and/or synthetic DNA. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water or an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid further comprises a colouring agent or dye. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid further comprises a UV indicator. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid further comprises an infra-red indicator. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is configured to retain heat. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a projectile weapon adapted to propel the capsule toward a target. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the projectile weapon is powered by compressed gas. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , which apparatus comprises a projectile delivery element configured to deliver the capsule to a remote target, wherein the capsule comprises an outer casing surrounding the marker, and wherein the projectile delivery element is configured to deliver the projectile at low velocity. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein low velocity is a sufficient velocity such that the outer casing ruptures on impact thus contacting the marker with the target, and at sufficient velocity such that the capsule does not cause significant damage to the target. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein low velocity is less than 330 feet per second (100.6 ms −1 ), preferably less than 300 feet per second (91.5 ms −1 ), preferably less than 280 feet per second (85.4 ms −1 ), preferably less than 250 feet per second (76.2 ms −1 ), preferably less than 225 feet per second (68.6 ms −1 ), preferably from 150-250 feet per second (45.7-76.2 ms −1 ), preferably from 175-225 feet per second (53.3-68.6 ms −1 ) preferably about 200 feet per second (about 61.0 ms −1 ). 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the projectile delivery element comprises a weapon, such as a pistol or a rifle. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the outer casing of the capsule is deformable. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the outer casing of the capsule, comprises one or more materials selected from gelatine, polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycerine, sorbitol, water, a fatty acid, a starch, a surfactant, and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for remote tagging, which apparatus comprises projectile delivery element configured to deliver a projectile to a remote target, wherein the projectile comprises a capsule with an outer casing surrounding a tagging agent, and wherein the projectile delivery element is configured to deliver the projectile at low velocity. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein low velocity is a sufficient velocity such that the outer casing ruptures on impact thus contacting the tagging agent with the target, and at sufficient velocity such that the projectile does not cause significant damage to the target. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein low velocity is less than 330 feet per second (100.6 ms −1 ), preferably less than 300 feet per second (91.5 ms −1 ), preferably less than 280 feet per second (85.4 ms −1 ), preferably less than 250 feet per second (76.2 ms −1 ), preferably less than 225 feet per second (68.6 ms −1 ), preferably from 150-250 feet per second (45.7-76.2 ms −1 ), preferably from 175-225 feet per second (53.3-68.6 ms −1 ) preferably about 200 feet per second (about 61.0 ms −1 ). 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the tagging agent comprises a substance selected from: a nucleic acid, a peptide, a polypeptide, a rare earth or rare earth compound, a metal or metal compound such as a metal oxide, or a mixture of one or more of the above; preferably the tagging agent comprises DNA, such as botanical DNA and/or synthetic DNA; and/or preferably the tagging agent is a unique tagging agent. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the projectile delivery element comprises a weapon, such as a pistol or a rifle. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer casing of the capsule is deformable. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer casing of the capsule, comprises one or more materials selected from gelatine, polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycerine, sorbitol, water, a fatty acid, a starch, a surfactant, and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         24 . A kit for remote tagging, which kit comprises:
 (a) an apparatus as defined in  claim 1  or  17 ; and   (b) a set of projectiles, each projectile in the set comprising a tagging agent or marker unique to that set.   
     
     
         25 . A system for remote tagging, which system comprises:
 (a) an apparatus as defined in  claim 1  or  17 ;   (b) a plurality of sets of projectiles, wherein each projectile in a set comprises a tagging agent or marker unique to that set, and different from the tagging agent or marker in every other set; and   (c) a database comprising information linking the identity of each unique tagging agent or marker to the set to which it belongs.   
     
     
         26 . A method of tagging, comprising firing a projectile at a target, using the apparatus as defined in  claim 1  or  17 . 
     
     
         27 . Use of an apparatus as defined in  claim 1  or  17  to tag a target. 
     
     
         28 . A low velocity projectile for tagging a target, which projectile comprises a capsule as defined in  claim 17 . 
     
     
         29 . A method of marking a target, comprising:
 (a) deploying a capsule encapsulating a liquid having a unique DNA marker suspended therein at the target, the capsule being configured to rupture upon impact with the target; and   (b) later determining whether the unique DNA is present on the target.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the encapsulated liquid further comprises an ultra violet (UV) indicator, and wherein the step of determining involves exposing the target to a UV light source to identify the presence of the unique DNA. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the encapsulated liquid further comprises an infra-red (IR) indicator, and wherein the step of determining involves using IR detector equipment on the target to identify the presence of the unique DNA. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the capsule and liquid encapsulated therein is heated before deployment, and wherein the step of determining involves using thermal imaging equipment on the target to identify the presence of the unique DNA. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 29 , further comprising the step of recording the unique DNA marker of a capsule together with a time, date and/or location of its deployment, such that a target identified as having contact with the unique DNA can be linked to a scene and/or an event. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 29 , in which marker DNA recovered from a suspect is sequenced or fingerprinted to identify it.