Interagency study of crime scene investigation using virtual reality

Abstract

To facilitate the development of standards for crime
scene investigation (CSI) and to improve the field of forensic science,
RTI International conducted a national interagency comparison study
on crime scene (CS) processing using virtual reality (VR) scene recreations.
The study assessed participants’ performance in CS processing
across a variety of individual and agency characteristics. A total of 163
participants completed a sexual assault scene, with 92 of which completing
a second scene: overdose or assault. Study findings indicated
that prior experience with VR was not necessary to use its capabilities
regarding simulated CS processing. Out of the processing variables
assessed, swabbing DNA samples, glove use, and number of photos
taken had the most significant distributions across the characteristics
assessed, indicating these skills may have the biggest variability
across crime scene teams or are the most different in the virtual space.
Although certain regions performed better than others in certain areas,
on the whole larger crime scene units, CSI primary function, more CSI
experience, and more scenes worked exhibited better performance.
Those at agencies with forensic accreditation demonstrated better performance
across all three scenes with regards to glove use. There was
a lot of positive feedback regarding processing scenes in the virtual
world including being time-efficient, relatively low-cost, and easy-touse;
however, VR is not suitable for all people due to the potential for
motion sickness and headaches, and there are some limitations to the
technology with regards to demonstrating CSI skills.