Forensic spray helping women to 'feel safer'

Victims of domestic violence are being given a forensic spray that proves if a perpetrator has approached them.

SmartWater, which has its own DNA, will remain on the suspect's skin for up to six weeks and can help lead to convictions. Perpetrators are told that victims are carrying the spray in a bid to deter them from contacting the victim.

Gloucestershire Police has been trialling SmartWater since January, with early feedback suggesting it is working.

Ch Insp Ash Shingler said: "We're working with seven victims. None of the SmartWater has been deployed - that's a good sign because it means the preventative element seems to be working."

The invisible fluid, traditionally used to forensically mark items such as bikes and valuables, is now being given to high-risk victims of domestic abuse.

They can use the spray to prove a perpetrator did approach them or break their bail conditions or banning orders.

When deployed the substance can be used as evidence, forensic laboratories only need a "pin-prick".

Chief Insp Shingler said: "The spray has individual codes, the substance shows up under UV light and the code itself is unique to the spray and registered to the victim.

"Once it's sent to the lab, it can be viewed like a barcode – it's got it's own DNA."

Clare Joynes, the rural domestic abuse coordinator for Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service, said the "psychological impact" for victims was significant.

Victims often felt like they could not "trust the world anymore", said Ms Joynes, adding "anything like this [pilot] that makes people feel safer" is a good thing.

"That gives them that feeling that yes they can go out, they can safely answer their door is going to be massive in terms of the psychological impact and their ability to recover," she added.