Applied DNA Sciences' Botanical SigNature DNA Convicts Thieves in Cash Crimes

STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - December 10, 2009) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: APDN), a provider of DNA-based security solutions, announced that SigNature® DNA has successfully been used in a UK Court of law as forensic evidence by the prosecution resulting in convictions of criminals involved in cash-and-valuables-in-transit crimes (CViT). The DNA evidence submitted to the Metropolitan Police linked the criminals to the crime, and left no room for reasonable doubt.

"SigNature DNA is quickly proving itself to be the Gold Standard Crime Prevention tool for the CViT industry. Easy detection and absolute authentication lead to successful convictions. Let these convictions serve as a real warning to criminals: SigNature DNA will be your admission ticket to prison," commented Tony Benson, Risk Director, Loomis UK.

Recently, two suspects pled guilty and were sentenced to prison -- five years for one and eighteen months for the other. The criminals were found with SigNature DNA-marked notes and the identical taggants marked their clothing, skin and mobile phones.

"I'm very impressed by SigNature DNA itself, as well as the professional statement supplied for Court. It contained all the necessary evidence and was very easy to refer to. The accumulation of Applied DNA Sciences' forensic evidence, combined with other forms of evidence, has greatly assisted us in finding the perpetrators guilty," stated Detective Constable Gavin Wilson, Metropolitan Police Flying Squad, Tower Bridge.

In just six months, APDN has authenticated cash and other evidence recovered in numerous cash box robberies in the UK. APDN's complete DNA analytical services have greatly assisted the Police in providing strong DNA authentication to help in larger investigations involving multiple crimes linked to a single group.

"With lives and assets at stake, why would anyone settle for less than a genuine DNA evidentiary trail, when the performance of SigNature DNA is unequivocal? We believe so-called 'DNA-style' markers or synthetic oligonucleotides do not offer the advantages of SigNature DNA which is a larger, complex DNA derived from natural, botanical genomes," commented Dr. James Hayward, President and CEO of APDN. "Our IP portfolio is strong and we offer our clients best-in-category science."

Independent tests have shown that SigNature DNA cannot be removed by conventional washes, exotic detergents, or even more aggressive solvents. This is not the case for pseudo, DNA-style, non-forensic markers which may not withstand the most basic stain removal methods. Court cases based on non-forensic evidence are vulnerable to challenges to the efficacy of the marker and its ability to be reliably authenticated. DNA has been accepted by global courts since the 1980s and has survived more scrutiny than any other form of evidence.

CViT crimes are still increasing in the UK and elsewhere (British Retailers Consortium, November 30, 2009). "This is a market well-suited to Applied DNA. We are fielding requests to mark CViT boxes, ATM cassettes, bank smoke and dye packs as well as retail products with increasing frequency this year, and from multiple countries," said Dr. Hayward.

About APDN

APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied. APDN also provides BioMaterial GenoTyping™ by detecting genomic DNA in natural materials to authenticate finished products. Both technologies protect brands and products in a wide range of industries and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators. To learn more, go to www.adnas.com where APDN routinely posts all press releases.

The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 16, 2008 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. APDN undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact Information: INVESTOR CONTACT: Debbie Bailey +1-631-444-8090 fax: +1-631-444-8848 MEDIA CONTACT: Janice Meraglia +1-631-444-6293 fax: +1-631-444-8848 FCMN Contact: Web site: http://www.adnas.com