MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY: HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE OTHER SOLUTIONS TO SECURE THE IDENTITY OF VEHICLES
Business Against Crime, May 2007

The identification of motor vehicles is necessary if criminals are to be arrested and prosecuted for vehicle crime. The implementation of technology and processes used in the identification of vehicles remains a challenge for the law enforcement agencies- the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Transport officials.

Investigations have proved that in almost all serious vehicle-related crimes and in many road traffic offences, primary and secondary identifiers (Licence number, VIN and Engine number) have been altered or removed in order to conceal the crime or identity of the miscreant.

Most manufacturers have made a big effort to make their cars difficult to steal. The important next step is to make it more difficult for criminals to sell the stolen or hijacked cars.

The improvement of the identification of motor vehicles has been a priority of the public-private partnership. Business Against Crime South Africa have assessed many available options and solutions to the vehicle identity problem, spreading the net both locally and internationally, and have evaluated these relative to the needs of the local environment. Initially, the most significant and promising alternatives were the marking of the vehicle in multiple places (multiple parts marking or 'whole of vehicle marking') by means of laser etching or by using barcode labels. However, most of these alternatives were seen as expensive, impractical, inaccessible and ineffective. In addition, there were concerns that the fitment could damage the motor vehicles.

During the assessments done by Business Against Crime South Africa, Microdot Technology has emerged as being head and shoulders above the rest in securing (preserving) the identity of the vehicle.

WHAT IS MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY?

Microdots technology entails the application (fitment) of 10 000 (or a number to be determined by the manufacturer in the event of OEM fitment) small polyester substrate dots, laser etched with multiple lines of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (for new vehicles) or a Personal Identification Number (PIN) (for used vehicles), in at least 88 different positions (or number to be determined by the manufacturer in event of OEM fitment).

Microdots are applied at fitment centres in a quick and simple process on the engine, suspension, components and body of the vehicles.

These dots can be detected with a UV light and read with a magnifier.

Thus, microdots are a passive means of securing the identity of the vehicle through marking the vehicle, and its parts, in multiple places with a unique identification number.

WHAT MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY IS NOT?

Microdots are not an automated and remotely retrievable device (it is not an electronic device).

ADVANTAGES OF MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY

• Microdot technology is a proven major deterrent for hijackings and motor vehicle theft. Criminals see microdotted vehicles (which are identified by means of a sticker) and its components as "contaminated" and it makes these vehicles less desirable for theft.
• Microdot technology does not lead to an increase in hijackings. This is due to the fact that microdot technology only secures the identity of the vehicle and is not aimed at making the theft of a vehicle more difficult. As measures are implemented to make the theft of vehicles more difficult, vehicle crime is moving away from the opportunist thief who will steal an unattended vehicle towards the dangerous professionals who will hijack a vehicle.
• Microdots and microdot readers assist police in roadside law enforcement in identifying vehicles and vehicle parts, even if the primary identifiers have been removed. Microdots will also assist law enforcement to identify vehicle parts which are found in chop shops.
• Microdots are recognised as a valid identifier and can be used in prosecutions.
• Microdots do not deface or damage the vehicle.
• Microdots are affordable, secure and robust.
  • Inexpensive and quick to fit.
  • Once-off cost only. No monthly subscription fee.
  • No maintenance required and therefore no maintenance cost.
  • Inexpensive equipment to read the information.
  • Verification of information on a centralised data base is easy.
  • Information on the microdot cannot be changed.
  • It cannot be deactivated or disabled.
  • Impossible to remove all of the 10 000 dots which are fitted in 88 different positions.
  • Are easy to find on the vehicle.

DISADVANTAGES MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY?

Microdot technology does not provide for the automatic and remote identification of vehicles.

DOES IT WORK?

Although the main function of microdot technology is to improve the ability to identity vehicles, statistics indicates that it is a deterrent for hijackings and motor vehicle theft.

Although the accuracy of the information cannot be confirmed by Business Against Crime South Africa, the effectiveness of microdots is attested to by the following sources:

• International statistics indicate that Microdot technology leads to a decrease of between 50% and 60% in the number of stolen and hijacked vehicles. It also leads to an improvement of more than 55% in recoveries.
• In South Africa, Avis and Clarendon Transport Underwriters have reported a drop of more than 52% in vehicle theft and a dramatic increase of 87% in the recovery rate.
• Gerhard Genis, head of Santam's Claims Administrative Services, was quoted in the Santam Focus of 1 June 2005 as saying, "Not only does fitment of DataDot represent a reduction in theft of at least 50%, it also brings about savings to insurers and brokers and it increases the safety of all clients".

An analysis was done by Business Against Crime South Africa on the 0 to 2 year old Minibuses and Midibuses (i.e. 2005 and 2006 year models) as reflected in the vehicle theft and robbery figures for 2006. During the analysis, a specific model which is 100% microdotted (i.e. Toyota Quantum) was compared with other models in this class which are not microdotted. The analysis indicated a decrease of 87% for the dotted model compared with its nearest competitor (according to number of vehicles registered) and 79% compared with the national average for this class. The risk of theft and robbery, expressed as a rate per 1,000 registered vehicles, was used during this analysis.

The recovery rate for the 100% microdotted model was a remarkable 91% compared to the 52% of other models in this class which are not microdotted.

It should be mentioned that the 100% dotted model that was used in this analysis was only released during March 2005. This means that the market for the stolen vehicles (e.g. market for used parts) might not have fully developed. This could have an impact on the present demand and the theft and hijacking rates of these vehicles.

IMPLEMENTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

As at the end of March 2007, the technology has been applied to over 123 000 motor vehicles in South Africa. This is mainly due to the fact that Microdots are fitted to:

• all vehicles imported and manufactured by Nissan South Africa as from October 2006;
• all Toyota Quantum vehicles as from March 2005;
• all vehicles of a specific importer and manufacturer of luxury vehicles in South Africa who will be marking all models by the end of October 2007;
• all vehicles purchased by the SAPS as from April 2006;
• all vehicles from the insurer Clarendon Transport Underwriters (CTU); and
• vehicles at the request of vehicle rental companies (primarily AVIS).

CONCLUSION

Business Against Crime South Africa have assessed many available options and solutions to the vehicle identity problem, spreading the net both locally and internationally, and have evaluated these relative to the needs of the local environment. Microdot Technology has emerged as being head and shoulders above the rest.

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