The concept uses green screens, the latest headsets and technology from gaming, engineering and computing to help "transport" jurors to crime scenes
Jurors could use virtual reality technology to enter 'crime scenes' in the first project of its kind in Europe, it's reported.
The concept uses green screens, the latest virtual reality headsets and technology from gaming, engineering and computing to help "transport" jurors to crime scenes.
It's a project being tested by Staffordshire University and one that police say could become signifcant.
Associate Prof of Forensics, Dr Caroline Sturdy Colls, told BBC News: "What we want to do is to come up with the best solution that helps the criminal justice system - help the police in their detection and recording of crime and then to help jurors in court to understand those crimes better that they ever did before."
The university was given a £140,000 grant from the European Commission and is also experimenting with laser scanning and drones to revolutionise the way crime scenes are recorded.
Staffordshire Police's Simon Tweats said the technology could make a significant difference in 'bringing to life' complex scenes and displaying evidence.
He told the broadcaster: "Doing that in a way that is far easier for juries to understand and appreciate - which can only be be good for everybody, for prosecution and defence."
The police also say that while the headsets may look expensive, they're actually 'affordable' at £700 each.
But some are sceptical about the project and question whether it will make any impact on a case as other technologies have caused problems in the past.
Jason Holt, a barrister at Steven Solicitors, said: "We've recently gone on to a digital system within the Crown court and it's causing significant delays; the systems we're using break down, the technology isn't sufficient and we go back to pen and paper.
"It's causing delays in court, in my own experience."
The Ministry of Justice said that making the most of new technology will "make justice more accessible" by cutting costs for litigants and removing unnecessary hearings.
(Source: Mirror)
