Virtual reality headsets could be used to allow jurors in Scotland to ‘visit’ crime scenes without leaving the courtroom.
The kit would be given to juries so that they could look at hi-tech simulations and put themselves in the position of the accused.
The virtual reality (VR) technology has been used mainly for entertainment and education, immersing people in computer-generated environments.
But it could now be used to help jurors – and train forensic investigators on how to examine crime scenes.
Back in February, jurors in the trial of Iain Packer at the High Court in Glasgow visited the woods where he murdered sex worker Emma Caldwell.
VR would have enabled them to see a visual representation of the site from the jury benches – if the judge agreed to its use. Last night Thomas Ross, KC, a specialist in homicide cases, said: ‘I wouldn’t have any objection to the technology being used to provide a better image of the crime scene. But what the jurors see must be controlled by the lawyers – the jurors are not investigators.’
The proposal for VR in courts was raised by Fiona Douglas, director of forensic services at the Scottish Police Authority.
Speaking at a conference on VR for the authority held in Edinburgh last month, Ms Douglas said: ‘The use of this kind of technology in the courtroom could allow the jury to step into a crime scene and understand the biometric evidence in context.’
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said the use of VR would be a matter for the Crown and defence, as it relates to how they present evidence in court.
The suggestion of using VR in courts comes as the SNP Government proposes a pilot scheme for juryless rape trials.
However, the proposals have been thrown into disarray as defence lawyers prepare to boycott the initiative – as they fear it would undermine the right to a fair trial.
Ministers cite research showing that jurors are influenced by ‘rape myths’ which prejudice how they regard the complainant.
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