Real world CSIs look at videogame tech to help solve cases

by Xav de Matos { Nov 28th 2009 at 2:30PM }

While TV-based crime scene investigators use futuristic moon technology to solve mysteries, real world forensic scientists say the biggest advancements need to come from how investigators collaborate on cases. North Carolina State University recently received a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help develop crime scene mapping tech (right) derived from the Unity game engine, allowing teams to create a virtual reproduction of crime scenes.

Using environments made up of 3-D laser scans and 2D models, investigators would be able to share detailed information with other scientists through the platform's website, reducing wait times and travel budgets.

The IC-CRIME platform (Interdisciplinary, cyber-enabled crime reconstruction through innovative methodology and engagement) won't be ready for at least three years, but scientists seem confident in the platform's future potential growth in catching scumbags. Also, turning the lights on in the lab might help the process. Those rooms always look so dark on TV.

Tags: crime-scene-investigators, csi, ic-crime, National-Science-Foundation, north-Carolina, real-world, real-world-gaming-application, science

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mr nimblewick @ Nov 28th 2009 2:33PM

So video games are training our soldiers, giving surgeons steadier hands and now solving murders? I don't know how I feel about this.

Stevetrop @ Nov 28th 2009 2:39PM

So their inching ever so closer to solving complicated murders in 60 minutes, with a few sets of commercials to spare.

Swellman @ Nov 28th 2009 3:37PM

Commercials? No. In-game advertisements? yes.

But they'll be subtle. You'll hardly even notice that the magazine they were reading was just a giant Old Spice advert once it's covered in their brains and blood.

BigD145 @ Nov 28th 2009 2:48PM

I'm not sure blood spatter in a room with 4 walls, ceiling, and floor is going to translate well in 2D.

wormania @ Nov 28th 2009 3:05PM

It'll translate just as well as it does in photographs.

Rob Accomando @ Nov 28th 2009 3:02PM

can it be used in court though??

MissouriMauler @ Nov 28th 2009 3:23PM

I used facebook maybe once, it is not very convenient, you don't even see your notifications. Last.fm is the only thing that's good on that update, but you can't use it while playing a game! It's not like I turn on my Xbox just to listen to the radio!

Demolition Elmo @ Nov 28th 2009 3:28PM

Enhance!

daliminator2000 @ Nov 28th 2009 3:31PM

"Interdisciplinary, cyber-enabled crime reconstruction through innovative methodology and engagement"

Yeahhh they didn't make up the name just to have a cool acronym. Not at all.

MrAlex @ Nov 28th 2009 4:48PM

They do that with the majority of things.

But it prompts the question, are they paying for marketing people to come up with these?

bongoes Sector 2814 @ Nov 28th 2009 5:34PM

I actually don't think it's that cool of an acronym. If it was IC-CRIMES BEING SOLVED AND CRIMINALS PUNISHED, and made sense, that would've been cool. Seriously, if any one could make that acronym work I would hire them for all of my acronym needs. (And I have more than you would think.)

mortegro545 @ Nov 28th 2009 4:04PM

"This could be the one case where...

*Puts on sunglasses*

Reality.. is stranger than Fiction."

bongoes Sector 2814 @ Nov 28th 2009 5:31PM

I think it would've been better if you said

"This could be one case where reality...

*puts on sunglasses*

is stranger than fiction."

It just flows better.

mortegro545 @ Nov 28th 2009 8:11PM

I stand corrected, sir

rooshma @ Nov 28th 2009 9:29PM

YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAH

mortegro545 @ Nov 28th 2009 8:11PM

I stand corrected, Sir.

Freakwincy42 @ Nov 28th 2009 10:51PM

dude... OFF-ROAD VELOCIRAPTOR SAFARI??? how have i not heard of this? hmm... thanks, Wiki entry.

SewerShark @ Nov 30th 2009 7:17AM

Videogames will help the cops to solve the crimes committed by gamers.

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