Virtual Reality & Forensics – A Match Made in Heaven
2017 was a golden year for virtual reality because it moved from being a novel technique into a must-have technology for gamers, journalists, manufacturers, designers, and filmmakers. Surprisingly, one field which is benefitting from VR is the forensic industry. What would happen if you could transport the jury of the court to a virtually live scene of a crime? While the world of VR is still at a nascent stage, the technology has the capability to diversify the courtroom. Instead of viewing the crime scene on paper or 2D object, the jury can interact with the world around them and pronounce judgment not only based on the facts of the case, but the virtual immersion into the crime scene as well. The innovative and immersive technology offers a unique way for lawyers and jurors to take a first person look and gain a sense of perspective that they would only have from being at the crime scene.
VR is bringing a paradigm shift in the functioning of forensic teams and helping them catch culprits with substantial evidence. Here are a few ways how VR is empowering the legal and forensic sector to catch criminals.
Virtual reality offers Easier reconstruction of crime scenes
With virtual reality, rather than the forensic experts adding their data to a 2D representation, VR now allows the jury to be plunged into a highly accurate crime scene reconstruction. Apart from helping the jury to make an informed decision, VR is likely to assist lawyers who struggle to visualize the scenes in 3D. It will help the courtroom get a better idea of how an offense took place. Using VR the forensic and the investigation team impeaches unreliable witnesses and refreshes the memory of credible ones. It will also help the jurors understand the crime scene from various vantage points.
Virtual Reality: Assisting the case from start to finish
With the increasing penetration of technology, criminals use new and innovative ways to commit a crime and try to surpass the law. But, with VR police and forensic teams can prevent a one-sided narrative, thereby giving the jury a completely biased perspective. Honda, a leading automobile manufacturing company, recreated an accident scene from a driver’s point showing the extremely rough terrain and the high speed at which the car was moving. The jury gave the decision in favor of the automobile manufacturing, agreeing that the driver was driving at a fast speed for the given conditions. From assisting at the initial stage to courtroom conviction, VR is proving as a lethal tool in the arsenal of forensics teams.
Not too long ago, we were apart of an investigation and were asked by the lawyers of the case to use our highly accurate 3D Laser Scanning Services to deliver a highly accurate model of a crime scene here in California. To read more about this case, check out our previous blog about our client, Courtroom Animations.
Virtual reality is easy to use
Using virtual reality, forensic department of any police force can train novices and put the theory to practice. Visualizing the crime scene, DNA, sketching, maps, and fingerprints in 3D will help the amateurs process the evidence at a crime scene. In addition to improving a student’s ability to document a crime scene, identify evidence will sharpen the decision making the power of the amateurs.
A technology like virtual reality which is providing crucial information about the crime scenes is having a positive impact on the global justice system.
For your virtual reality, 3d scanning and 3d printing needs, call Arrival 3D at 866-687-7784.