Protecting Shipwrecks from Heritage Crime

Artefacts from historic and archaeologically important underwater sites are being forensically marked with SelectaDNA as part of a ‘world-first’ project to give them greater protection and make them traceable.

The project by Historic England, working with MSDS Marine, is sending a direct message to potential thieves that underwater artefacts on Protected Wreck Sites are too hot to handle.

Historic England initially commissioned MSDS Marine in 2016 to source forensic marking products to protect wreck sites. SelectaDNA is now being used to mark artefacts including cannons from some of England’s 57 Protected Wreck sites. The project forms part of the Heritage Watch scheme, which aims to help prevent and detect heritage crime.

SelectaDNA was successfully trialled on dives over the summer and can now be used by enforcement agencies to establish if artefacts have come from a particular wreck and if divers have been in contact with that wreck. It can also make it more difficult for criminals to sell-on stolen items from wreck sites; and to deter the crime in the first place.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, and Historic England continues to research new and innovative approaches such as forensic marking to reduce the risk and tackle heritage crime at sea.

Mark Harrison, Head of Heritage Crime Strategy, Historic England said: “This will act as a clear deterrent to those looking to unlawfully lift and remove historic material from Protected Wreck Sites. If someone breaks the law and removes any property, the new markings will give police the ability to link the offender to the crime scene and implement criminal proceedings.”

Alison James, Heritage and Systems Manager, MSDS Marine, added: “This protective marking project is a game changer for maritime archaeology and how authorities protect sites underwater. 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the legislation that enables the protection of wreck sites and it seems completely fitting that this product has finally been deployed to help protect them for the next 50!”

James Brown. Managing Director of SelectaDNA concluded: “We are delighted and proud to be working with Historic England and MSDS Marine in this world-first project .Marking these artefacts gives them even greater protection as they will now be identifiable and traceable. The analysis of SelectaDNA samples in our Forensic Unit is compliant with the Forensic Science Regulator’s code of practice, which means any evidence used in court will be admissible, and help secure convictions.”