Forensic Identification VR Course Material
Learn how virtual learning materials are revolutionizing forensic identification programs
An Introduction:
A large Canadian college, ranked in the top 10 Canadian colleges for research and innovation and known for their emphasize on hands-on, career-focused learning, approached XpertVR to create eLearning materials for its students.
The initiative combined the skills of XpertVR and the college’s experiential learning department to develop a simulation that allows students to apply skills learned through their forensic identification courses.
The problem:
At the beginning of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, especially affecting academic institutions and how they teach their students. With all classes moving online and into video call formats college’s quickly saw the struggle students were having learning skills that normally required hands-on teaching methods. Plus for laboratories that were still operational like the one at the college we worked with space and time were limited. Creating an additional resourcing issue for many students.
This ranged from students learning trades skills to emergency services personnel. With no hands-on learning methods these students wouldn’t be prepared for the workplace and could possibly go without teachings integral for being successful in their career.
"As soon as development and testing were complete, the virtual FID simulation was made available as a practice tool for FID post-grad students."
The solution:
After speaking with the industry experts and deans from the college and understanding their immediate need to gain hands-on learning material for their forensic identification (FID) post grad students, XpertVR got to work on designing a virtual FID environment. XpertVR decided to go this route as professors indicated that forensic investigation is one of the hardest skills to teach policing students without a hands-on component.
This simulation only has one scenario for students to practice their FID skills but similar to our past forensic identification simulations, we made sure every item in the scene had a purpose and a story to tell. This is true for the environment and the evidence objects we present to students but especially apparent looking at the tools students use. As you can see to the right, students have everything from PPE equipment and police tape to cameras and different types of finger print retrieval tools, at their disposal. This ensures the student is truly immersed in the simulation and that they fully absorb all of the learning outcomes.
On the hardware side of things we built this simulation for the Oculus Quest 2 as it is the most cost effective and portable headset available on the market today. And since the institution we worked with manages a VR lab, teachers can easily book out the equipment for class or students can access it outside of class.
Results and feedback:
As soon as development and testing were complete, the virtual FID simulation was made available as a practice tool for FID post-grad students. Although the college we worked with would like to remain anonymous for this case study, we can share that they were very pleased with the final product. Students have enjoyed using it to practice their skills, and we have now moved ahead with two more simulations. Additionally, as a major benefit for the school, upon reopening, students will have an extra training setting that is more accessible and sustainable.
As they become a continuous partner of ours, we look forward to collaborating on the next innovative idea. Plus, we are happy to hear that the projects we have already developed are making a positive impact within their institutions!
