Forensics V.I.U.

Forensics V.I.U. (Virtual Investigation Unit) is an immersive virtual reality (VR) training simulation developed to support experiential learning within forensic science education. Created by Lead Developer Darick Cochrane and Environment Lead Kael Harrison for the Forensics Department at their university, the project responds to a growing need for accessible, scalable, and realistic digital training tools in applied science programs. The simulation is built for the Meta Quest 3 platform and employs full hand-tracking technology to allow users to interact with the environment without the use of physical controllers. This design decision enhances user immersion, increases accessibility, and promotes the development of procedural muscle memory that closely mirrors real-world investigative practice.

The Forensics V.I.U. system hosts a comprehensive array of forensic training objectives and tools. Students can perform fingerprinting, evidence photography, bloodstain pattern analysis, and footprint impression documentation. Additional modules enable the use of evidence markers, distance measurement tools, and specialized chemical testing methods, including OBTI, Amido Black, and BlueStar, for the detection of latent blood. The simulation also includes evidence collection, cataloging, and note taking systems that replicate standard field and laboratory procedures. Each of these components is designed to reinforce key learning outcomes while encouraging procedural accuracy and attention to detail.

A central goal of the project is to demonstrate how extended reality (XR) technologies can transform traditional instructional models by providing safe, repeatable, and cost-effective environments for skill development. Through iterative testing and feedback from forensic science faculty, the development team has refined the simulation to balance technical accuracy with usability and instructional effectiveness. The incorporation of hand tracking in particular addresses one of the most significant barriers in VR education, intuitive interaction, by enabling natural gesture-based controls that better reflect authentic task performance.