Murdoch University Integrates Extended Reality Into Forensic Training
Murdoch University has introduced extended reality technology into its forensic science teaching by using immersive digital environments that replicate crime scenes. The initiative applies virtual and extended reality systems to support crime scene investigation training in a controlled setting, reducing reliance on live simulations that often involve logistical, safety and resource limitations.
The technology enables the creation of detailed, interactive crime-scene environments, accessible through head-mounted displays in a dedicated laboratory. These environments reproduce a range of investigative settings and allow users to move through three-dimensional spaces while examining digital representations of physical evidence, spatial layouts and environmental conditions.
The system supports repeated practice without the constraints typically associated with real-world forensic exercises. Digital scenes can be revisited multiple times, allowing participants to conduct examinations without concerns related to site access, environmental hazards or the handling of physical materials.
At Murdoch University, the technology operates within a purpose-built digital immersive laboratory located in one of the institution’s academic facilities. The laboratory is configured to support multi-user simulations, enabling students, law enforcement personnel and forensic practitioners to enter the same virtual crime scene at the same time. Participants can work together within the shared environment, reflecting collaborative processes used in professional forensic investigations.
From a technical standpoint, the platform combines virtual reality, extended reality and interactive learning design. Crime scenes are rendered as navigable three-dimensional environments in which users interact with objects and evidence using tracked hand movements and handheld controllers. The software allows scenes to be modified or regenerated, enabling the creation of different investigative contexts, including reconstructions of real-world locations from various geographical areas.
The immersive environments require users to observe details, follow procedures and make investigative decisions during simulations. This approach differs from classroom-based instruction by placing participants directly within digital representations of crime scenes rather than relying on static materials or demonstrations.
The technology is also used beyond undergraduate instruction. For law enforcement and forensic professionals, the digital environments allow crime scenes to be reviewed after physical access has ended. This capability supports post-incident examination, procedural review and training activities that do not require return visits to original locations.
Access considerations form part of the system’s deployment. Virtual crime scenes can be entered without exposure to outdoor conditions or physically demanding environments, allowing participation by individuals with mobility restrictions or temporary injuries. The laboratory setting provides a consistent and controlled space for training activities.
Murdoch University has invested in the required hardware and has incorporated immersive simulations into its teaching programmes. The technology is used as part of ongoing instruction rather than for demonstration purposes alone, supporting regular use within forensic science education.
Within Australian higher education, the initiative places Murdoch University among institutions applying extended reality to specialised scientific training. The use of immersive systems in forensic education reflects broader changes in investigative practice, where digital tools and simulated environments form part of contemporary training and professional development.
