Botanically derived, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) taggants can be used as a means to forensically tag and authenticate objects for security purposes. Typically, the sequence dependent, encrypted DNA tags are embedded into inks, varnishes, adhesives, as well as paper, laminates and a range of substrates. This paper will provide recent findings on 1) the DNA techniques utilized to authenticate the DNA in a botanically-marked printed materials, 2) methods used to DNA-tag components and products, 3) methods used to authenticate DNA-tagged materials, 4) the value of DNA toward enhancing quality control, and 5) the use of DNA tags to identify originals, interdict counterfeits and prevent diversion, as DNA is recognized as a form of forensic evidence trusted by law enforcement and admissible by courts around the world.