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Greater Manchester Police SmartWater warning sign

SmartWater is a traceable liquid and forensic asset marking system (taggant), applied to items of value to identify thieves, and deter theft. The liquid leaves a unique identifier, whose presence "cannot be easily seen by the naked eye" except under ultraviolet black light.[1]

History

[edit]

SmartWater, the forensic technology company, was started in the early 1990s by Phil Cleary.[2] Phil's brother, Mike Cleary, a Chartered Chemist and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, created SmartWater,[3][4] and was responsible for technology development, whereas Phil Cleary looked after the business side of things.

In 1996, SmartWater gained a national profile when the Clearys won the Prince of Wales Award for the product with the most commercial potential on BBC's Tomorrow's World.[5]

From 2016 to 2019, SmartWater initiated an M&A program, which culminated in the acquisition of PID Systems Ltd in Prestwick, Scotland. This led to the formation of the SmartWater Group Limited, comprising SmartWater Technology Limited, PID Systems Ltd, the SmartWater Foundation Ltd, and the Centre for Infrastructure and Asset Protection, the company's intelligence arm that provides crime pattern analysis for the UK police service.

Composition

[edit]

SmartWater is a clear, water-based, liquid containing an identifying code that can be viewed under ultraviolet light.[6] It is intended to be applied to valuable items, including those at construction sites, in retail stores, and in vacant residential or commercial properties.[7] It can also be used to spray a thief with liquid to generate evidence that connects a suspect to a specific location.[6] If the items are stolen and later recovered by police, the code can be read in a laboratory to identify the original owner.[6][8]

SmartWater comes in three variants: "Index Solutions", "Indsol Tracer" and "SmartWater Instant", which use different techniques to embed such a code. According to Phil Cleary, this allows "millions of chemical signatures" and, in terms of its use as an asset protection system, is an identifier superior to DNA fingerprinting.[9]

  1. Index Solutions variants are water-based solutions containing low-level additives, which are blended using a binary sequence to ensure uniqueness. The Index Solution is contained within a spray system that is activated by an intruder detection unit, similar to a burglar alarm, and marks the intruder with a spray, which the police locate using a black (UV) light.
  2. Indsol Tracer variants consist of polymer emulsion that blends different chemical agents according to a binary code allowing billions of different possibilities.[9]
  3. SmartWater Instant variants consist mainly of a copolymer of vinyl acetate in isopropyl alcohol. The fluid contains millions of tiny fragments; a unique number called "SIN" ("SmartWater identification number," registered in a national police database together with the owner's details) is encoded into each of those particles.[9]

Uses and effectiveness

[edit]

In a 2006 speech to security professionals at the NEC in Birmingham, CEO Phil Cleary stated, "Property marking initiatives are a waste of time and public money unless they're accompanied by an underlying strategy aimed at creating a sustainable deterrent." Cleary went on to suggest that criminals would not be deterred by technology unless it had a successful track record of securing convictions in the criminal courts.[10] The SmartWater company developed a crime reduction program, called "The SmartWater Strategy".

In 2008, a research paper on the efficacy of SmartWater was published by a team led by Professor Martin Gill. Gill interviewed criminals and asked whether the presence of SmartWater would deter them from burglary, with 74% saying it would. The paper was later criticized; according to an academic study carried out by the Centre for Operational Police Research, University of Warwick, the research paper was not an academic study, was paid for by the company, and had an unclear methodology.[11]

In 2012, SmartWater presented its strategy to officers of the Metropolitan Police, who decided to test SmartWater's concept under controlled conditions. Consequently, a 'proof of concept' trial was initiated in 2013. SmartWater operated in the London Borough of Brent and, following six months of formal assessment, announced an 85% reduction in household burglary.[12]

In their study, the Centre for Operational Police Research said that the 'proof of concept trial' suffered from the same deficiencies as the paper by Professor Martin Gill. They added that the use of SmartWater may not be causal in the reduction in burglaries which could be explained by an increase in police resources in the area.

In 2017, SmartWater became accredited as being compliant with the UK Government's Forensic Science Regulator's Codes of Practice, which became a lawful requirement in April 2021.

SmartWater is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for the forensic analysis of SmartWater products. It is the company's testing facilities and processes that are accredited, not their products.[13]

Founders

[edit]

Mike Cleary fully retired when Freshstream joined the company and Phil Cleary stayed as CEO for eighteen months to aid the integration process, until retiring in December 2021.[14]

Phil Cleary became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2009.[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

SmartWater

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
SmartWater is a patented forensic marking originating from the , consisting of a synthetic, traceable designed to invisibly mark high-value assets and intruders to deter , facilitate recovery, and provide irrefutable in criminal investigations. The , which dries clear to the but fluoresces under light, contains a unique chemical code that can be forensically analyzed and linked to specific owners or locations, making it nearly impossible for thieves to remove without detection. This system has been particularly effective in reducing , with applications extending to homes, businesses, vehicles, tools, construction sites, and even the protection of over 500,000 cultural artifacts worldwide. Developed in the early by brothers and Mike Cleary— being a former British police officer—SmartWater Technology Ltd was formally established in 1996 to commercialize the innovation. Over its more than 25 years of use, the technology has achieved a 100% in cases where the marking is presented, earning it a reputation as one of the most reliable crime deterrents globally. Key products include SmartTrace for asset marking, SmartSpray for intruder apprehension, and specialized formulations like those integrated into security systems or applied to catalytic converters, where it has contributed to over 50% reductions in theft rates in targeted areas. Beyond traditional theft prevention, SmartWater has been adapted for personal safety, such as in domestic abuse prevention devices that spray the liquid on attackers, enabling police identification long after the incident. The technology's success stems from its scientific robustness: the forensic codes are embedded in durable, non-damaging polymers that withstand environmental exposure, and each batch is registered in a secure database for rapid verification by law enforcement. With over a million users and endorsements from police forces across multiple countries, SmartWater continues to evolve, incorporating advancements in while maintaining its core principle of providing legally binding proof of ownership.

Overview and Technology

Description and Purpose

SmartWater is a forensic marking system consisting of a water-based liquid designed to tag valuable assets such as , vehicles, and artwork, creating unique, traceable signatures that link items to their owners. This technology applies an invisible coating or spray that does not alter the appearance of marked objects but becomes detectable under (UV) light, revealing a forensic for identification purposes. Developed as a non-invasive method, it integrates seamlessly with existing measures, including automated sprays triggered by alarms to mark intruders or property during theft attempts. The primary purpose of SmartWater is to deter theft by making stolen goods easier to trace and recover, thereby reducing the profitability of criminal activity. It enables to connect recovered items or suspects to specific owners through the unique chemical markers, which are durable and resistant to removal, providing court-admissible evidence with a high in prosecutions. By assigning exclusive codes tied to registered users, the system facilitates across residential, commercial, and public sectors, emphasizing prevention over reaction. SmartWater emerged in the early 1990s in the , founded by brothers Phil and Mike Cleary in response to escalating rates during that period. This innovation addressed the need for reliable, verifiable marking solutions amid widespread burglaries and thefts, quickly gaining adoption for its forensic reliability and integration potential.

Composition and Detection Methods

SmartWater is formulated as a clear, adhesive, water-based liquid polymer that incorporates trace amounts of rare earth elements, primarily lanthanides, along with microscopic additives to create unique chemical signatures. These signatures are achieved by varying the combinations and concentrations of up to 17 rare earth elements, enabling billions of distinct formulations for forensic identification. The core composition avoids synthetic DNA, instead relying on inorganic metal-based compounds that are more durable than biological markers. Variants of SmartWater include Indsol Tracer, a water-based designed for direct application to assets, which solidifies into a thin, colorless, abrasion-resistant upon . SmartWater Instant is tailored for rapid deployment, incorporating vinyl acetate in along with encoded microscopic particles for enhanced quick-scan identification. These formulations are engineered for longevity, resisting washing, solvents, and environmental exposure, with guarantees of durability for at least 30 years post-application. The detection process begins with visual screening: the marking is invisible under normal light but fluoresces a bright yellow under (UV) or green illumination, allowing initial field identification. In forensic laboratories, advanced techniques such as inductively coupled (LA-ICP-MS) or (LIBS) are employed to analyze the elemental composition and decode the unique signature at trace levels (parts per million). may supplement these methods to examine microscopic additives in variants like SmartWater Instant. Each batch's encoding is linked to a specific owner, location, or asset through a maintained by the provider, ensuring verifiable that supports legal proceedings. This registry stores formulation details indefinitely during the license period, facilitating matches between recovered and registered information for convictions. The system's robustness allows detection on for months and on fabrics or surfaces for years, even after exposure to harsh conditions.

History and Development

Founding and Early Innovations

SmartWater was founded in 1993 by brothers Cleary and Mike Cleary in , , beginning as a two-person operation in a garage. Phil, a former with the who left the force after 11 years to care for a seriously injured family member, served as the business lead, drawing on his experience where he encountered frustrations in identifying and recovering stolen due to inadequate marking technologies. Mike, a chartered chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, acted as the technical inventor, focusing on the scientific development of the product. The core innovation emerged from Mike Cleary's work on a stable, invisible forensic fluid that incorporates unique chemical taggants for property marking, enabling long-term identification under forensic analysis. This technology, based on principles of chemical coding, was patented in the mid-1990s after initial development funded by Phil's consulting fees, with total costs around £200,000. The fluid's design addressed limitations of earlier synthetic markers by providing indelible, UV-detectable codes tailored to individual users or locations. A pivotal early milestone came in 1996 when SmartWater received the Prince of Wales Award for Innovation, presented on BBC's program, highlighting its commercial potential in . This recognition attracted initial investment from Ventures (£300,000 for a 10% stake) and spurred partnerships with UK police forces, including pilots in high-crime areas that demonstrated burglary reductions of up to 40% in locations like , . In the , SmartWater expanded commercially with the launch of its first products for home and business use, achieving annual revenues of £1 million by 2000. The company established dedicated forensic verification laboratories in to process samples and confirm codes, supporting growing police collaborations such as the 2006 SmartWater Strategy with the in Brent, where household burglaries dropped by 85%.

Corporate Evolution and Recent Advances

In March 2021, Freshstream made a majority investment in SmartWater and Perimeter Intruder Detection (PID) Systems, forming SmartWater Group Limited as a unified entity focused on forensic marking and security technologies. This integration enabled expansion into new sectors, including advanced alarm verification and solutions. The group's first major acquisition occurred in October 2021 with Tag Security Holdings (TSH), a European provider of armored alarm systems, enhancing SmartWater Group's capabilities in video-verified security and establishing a stronger foothold in the EU market. Following this, co-founder Mike Cleary retired shortly after Freshstream's involvement, marking the end of his direct role in operations. Leadership transitioned further with Phil Cleary, co-founder and long-serving CEO, retiring on December 31, 2021, after aiding the integration of new investments and acquisitions; he had led the company for over 25 years. New directors, including Suketu Kishor Devani and others, were appointed in 2022 to steer continued growth. In September 2022, SmartWater Group rebranded to DeterTech, coinciding with the acquisition of SmartGuard, a leading Danish provider of temporary site security solutions, which expanded operations into the Nordics and supported a broader European presence. DeterTech showcased its portfolio at IFSEC International 2022, highlighting deterrent technologies to industry professionals. From 2022 to 2025, DeterTech deepened collaborations with police forces, sharing intelligence data through its Alarm Receiving Centre with all 43 forces and achieving recognition from the for forensic marking as best practice in retail . These partnerships facilitated national rollouts, with SmartWater technology adopted by over 95% of police forces for asset recovery and offender identification. A key advance in 2025 was the launch of SmartSpray, an automated forensic spray system designed for retail environments to mark intruders with unique SmartWater codes upon detection, enabling precise linkage to crime scenes. Debuted at The Security Event (TSE) 2025, it drew significant interest from retailers seeking to combat rising theft rates. DeterTech also expanded SmartWater into domestic abuse prevention, providing victims with forensic marking kits to deter repeat offenses; an independent evaluation by the in August 2025 reported a 22% reduction in repeat incidents among users. This initiative built on ongoing police collaborations, including trials in forces like and for victim protection.

Applications

Asset Protection and Theft Deterrence

SmartWater is applied to physical assets through various methods, including sprayable forensic liquids, gels, and paint-on coatings, to create an invisible, durable marking that links items to their owners. For residential use, homeowners mark valuables such as jewelry, bicycles, and using SmartTrace forensic liquid in spray or gel form, which is quick to apply and adheres to surfaces for at least five years while remaining virtually undetectable without specialized equipment. In business settings, similar applications protect tools, inventory, and machinery, with the liquid dispensed via applicators to cover multiple items efficiently. High-value assets like art pieces or collectibles receive targeted coatings to ensure the marking withstands environmental exposure without altering appearance. Deterrence is enhanced by combining the invisible marking with visible warning elements, such as "THIEVES BEWARE" stickers and tamper-resistant labels placed on windows, doors, or packaging to signal the presence of forensic . These visual cues alone discourage potential thieves, as the threat of raises the risk of identification and prosecution. Integration with security systems, including automated spray mechanisms triggered by alarms, allows for immediate tagging of assets during intrusion attempts, further amplifying preventive effects. Across sectors, SmartWater targets specific vulnerabilities in . Commercial vehicle fleets, including vans and trucks, utilize high-temperature resistant markers applied to components like catalytic converters to combat of valuable parts, with rollouts emphasizing fleet-wide for enhanced recovery rates. Industrial sites, such as construction zones and solar farms, apply the technology to heavy machinery and materials to deter organized rings. In 2025, & Police partnered with DeterTech to provide discounted SmartWater kits to over 60 sports clubs, enabling the marking of equipment like tractors and mowers to prevent burglaries. Cultural institutions, particularly museums, mark artifacts with unique signatures; for instance, over 500,000 items in Iraqi museums have been protected to prevent and aid in . A central registry system enables owners to record their unique forensic codes in a secure database managed by DeterTech, allowing rapid verification by law enforcement upon recovery of marked items. Police forces, including over 95% of UK services, access this database to match codes detected under UV light, providing irrefutable evidence for convictions. This linkage transforms recovered assets into prosecutorial tools, reinforcing the overall deterrence strategy.

Intruder Identification and New Uses

SmartWater's intruder identification capabilities primarily rely on active deployment systems that mark perpetrators with a traceable forensic upon detection of unauthorized access. The SmartSpray system, launched by DeterTech in , automates this process by releasing a spray of SmartWater when triggered by alarms or motion sensors in commercial premises, coating the intruder's skin, clothing, and possessions with a unique code invisible to the naked eye but detectable under . This marking persists for up to six weeks on the skin and longer on fabrics, enabling detection at security checkpoints, border controls, or routine police scans, thereby facilitating rapid identification and apprehension. In response to rising domestic abuse incidents, SmartWater has been integrated into victim support programs across UK police forces from 2022 to 2025, providing portable spray kits and marking solutions for household items to tag abusers during confrontations. Gloucestershire Police, for instance, initiated a in March 2025 issuing SmartWater sprays to high-risk victims, allowing them to apply the liquid to perpetrators who return to their homes, with the forensic trace serving as irrefutable in court proceedings. Independent research by the in 2025 demonstrated that such deployments reduced repeat domestic abuse incidents by 22%, as the knowledge of traceability deters offenders from reapproaching victims. The first using this technology in a domestic abuse case occurred in 2022, where the spray's unique code linked the perpetrator to the victim's property, marking a pivotal advancement in evidence collection for these cases. Beyond traditional , SmartWater innovations include devices tailored for SIA-accredited personnel, such as the SmartTag spray canister introduced in 2021 and made available exclusively to licensed officers and police. This portable tool allows staff to discreetly mark individuals involved in disturbances, anti-social behavior, or theft attempts, with the code enabling later forensic verification. In retail environments, teams at chains like the Co-op have equipped approximately 400 guards with similar SmartWater sprays since 2021 to target shoplifters, applying the liquid during confrontations to tag repeat offenders and link them to multiple crime scenes. The forensic linkage provided by SmartWater's unique codes is central to its effectiveness in supporting convictions, as each batch is registered with a specific location or asset, allowing to trace marked individuals directly back to the incident via laboratory analysis. This process has yielded a 100% in cases where SmartWater is presented in courts, as demonstrated in a 2025 stalking prosecution where the spray's code irrefutably connected the attacker to the victim's . By embedding microscopic taggants that withstand washing and environmental exposure, the technology ensures persistent , transforming potential escapes into definitive links that bolster prosecutions across various types.

Effectiveness and Evaluation

Evidence from Studies and Trials

A key trial in the London Borough of Brent in demonstrated the potential impact of SmartWater on rates, where the implementation of the technology across targeted residential areas led to an 85% reduction in domestic burglaries over a six-month period following distribution of 1,000 marking packs to homes. SmartWater received UKAS under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for its , confirming the reliability of its detection methods for use in criminal investigations and proceedings. In 2017, SmartWater achieved compliance with the Government's Forensic Science Regulator's Codes of Practice, a legal requirement for forensic providers, ensuring its meets standards for admissibility in and enhancing its utility in prosecutions. A 2025 evaluation by the examined the use of SmartWater in domestic abuse pilot programs, finding a 22% reduction in repeat incidents over six months among victims whose homes and possessions were marked, attributed to the deterrent effect on perpetrators aware of the traceable spray. The 2018 report on forensic property marking schemes, including SmartWater, analyzed multiple implementations and noted improved recovery rates for marked items, alongside broader deterrence effects on opportunistic theft. SmartWater evidence has contributed to hundreds of convictions in courts prior to 2020, maintaining a 100% success rate in contested cases where presented, which has bolstered police investigations and offender deterrence. These studies also highlight qualitative benefits, such as increased public confidence in ; surveys in marked areas showed residents reporting higher feelings of , fostering community-wide awareness.

Criticisms and Limitations

Despite its reported successes in certain trials, the 2013 SmartWater deployment in the has faced significant methodological scrutiny from independent academic reviews. The initiative distributed only 1,000 marking packs across the area, resulting in a small sample size that limited the statistical robustness of the findings and raised questions about generalizability. Additionally, the absence of a control group prevented researchers from isolating SmartWater's effects from factors, such as concurrent increases in police patrols or broader crime trends, potentially inflating the claimed 85% reduction. The evaluation was conducted internally by the rather than through an independent process, introducing risks of and undermining claims of . Practical limitations further constrain SmartWater's deployment and reliability. In shared living environments, such as multi-occupancy homes or communal spaces, there is a potential for cross-contamination if the marking liquid transfers unintentionally before fully drying, complicating attribution to specific individuals. High initial costs pose a barrier for widespread adoption; for instance, forensic spray kits used by police forces can run approximately £150 per month per officer, while comprehensive property marking programs require substantial investment in materials, application, and maintenance. Effectiveness also depends heavily on specialized for detection and forensic analysis, as officers must use UV lights and verification to identify traces, and inconsistent training across forces can lead to missed evidence or delayed prosecutions. Ethical concerns arise particularly in applications involving intruder marking, such as domestic cases, where the technology's permanence—lasting up to six weeks on skin—raises issues for both victims and perpetrators. There is a of misuse, including vindictive false claims of marking to settle personal disputes, potentially eroding trust in the system and leading to wrongful accusations. Although SmartWater is certified non-toxic and environmentally compliant by standards bodies, lingering questions persist about long-term from repeated exposure, especially in sensitive applications like marking individuals, despite manufacturer assurances of harmlessness. Gaps in coverage highlight SmartWater's constrained scope beyond traditional burglary prevention. Adoption remains predominantly limited to the and parts of , with minimal penetration in other global markets like —despite limited adoption since , such as pilot programs with police departments—where alternative marking technologies compete and regulatory hurdles slow integration. Its effectiveness is also questioned for non-burglary crimes, such as cyber or violations, where physical marking provides no evidentiary value, underscoring the technology's reliance on tangible asset interactions.

Company and Leadership

Founders and Key Figures

Phil Cleary, a former British police who retired early due to injury, co-founded SmartWater in 1993 alongside his brother Mike, initially operating from a garage in to commercialize a novel forensic marking technology. As the business founder and CEO until his retirement in 2021, Phil Cleary played a pivotal role in driving the company's growth, securing awards such as the 1996 Award for Innovation, and expanding its applications in . He was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) in 2009 in recognition of his entrepreneurial contributions to British industry. Cleary's media outreach efforts, including a prominent 1996 feature on BBC's program, significantly raised public awareness of SmartWater's potential to deter and aid investigations. Mike Cleary, the technical founder and a Chartered as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, invented the core synthetic liquid marker for SmartWater containing a unique chemical code, a stable, invisible liquid marker designed to encode assets with unique identifiers visible only under light. His innovations focused on ensuring the encoding's long-term stability, even under adverse conditions like heat or . Mike Cleary retired in 2021 following Freshstream's investment in the company, leaving a legacy of scientific advancements that underpinned SmartWater's forensic reliability. In the , Freshstream Investment Partners played a key role in facilitating mergers and investments that scaled SmartWater's operations, including a major funding round in March 2021 that enabled acquisitions like Tag Security Holdings and supported entry into new markets. Post-2021, under the rebranded DeterTech, current leadership including CEO Baba Devani has advanced product innovations such as SmartSpray, an automated forensic spray system that deploys the unique marking liquid to tag intruders, achieving a reported 100% in supported cases. Devani, appointed in 2022 after serving as a senior executive at Survitec Group, has emphasized integrating SmartWater technology with broader security solutions to enhance deterrence in retail and commercial sectors.

Current Operations and Partnerships

As of 2025, SmartWater operates under DeterTech UK Limited, following the 2022 rebranding of the SmartWater Group and integrations including the 2021 acquisition of Tag Security Holdings and the 2022 acquisition of SmartGuard in the Nordics to expand solutions across . The company, a private entity within DeterTech Holdings, maintains its at Unit 1, Pioneer Park, Halesfield 18, TF7 4FA, . This structure supports a focus on intelligence-led , integrating forensic marking with data-driven risk management. DeterTech's operations for SmartWater include a secure, accredited national database that serves as an owner registry, where unique codes from applied forensic liquids are registered to link assets or intruders to specific individuals or locations for verification and recovery. is facilitated through this database, which complies with international standards and enables police to trace markings under UV , contributing to a 100% in contested cases and thousands of successful prosecutions overall. programs are provided for certified installers, covering product application and system setup via resources like the Forensic Spray Registration App and installation guides, while police forces receive specialized to identify and SmartWater during investigations. SmartWater maintains key partnerships with UK authorities, including compliance with the Home Office Forensic Science Regulator's Code of Practice for forensic processes. Collaborations with police forces, such as Devon and Cornwall Police for retail theft deterrence at stores like Boots UK and the Metropolitan Police's MetTrace initiative, integrate SmartWater into operational strategies for asset protection and offender identification. Additional ties with retailers and the College of Policing endorse SmartWater as best practice for reducing shoplifting, particularly through marking high-value items like fragrance testers. The business model combines direct product sales of forensic marking solutions, including kits for home and vehicle protection available via online shop, with subscription-based verification services requiring annual registration fees to maintain database access and legal . Internationally, operations emphasize exports to , bolstered by Nordic acquisitions like SmartGuard for enhanced regional reach, while presence in the remains limited to specialized applications such as SmartWater CSI for agricultural equipment protection; no significant activities are reported in .

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  72. http://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2014/06/11/police-tag-property-with-mystery-compound-in-hopes-it-sticks-to-thieves-111195
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