Criminator: An Easy-to-Use XR "Crime Animator" for Rapid Reconstruction and Analysis of Dynamic Crime Scenes

TL;DR

Criminator is an XR tool designed to simplify 3D crime scene animation, enabling non-experts to reconstruct and analyze dynamic scenes efficiently for law enforcement and training purposes.

Contribution

The paper introduces Criminator, a novel XR framework that makes crime scene animation accessible to non-experts through co-designed, easy-to-use tools for dynamic scene reconstruction.

Findings

Both trained and untrained users successfully completed animation tasks.

High usability ratings from participants indicate ease of use.

Potential applications include hypothesis testing and training in criminology.

Abstract

Law enforcement authorities are increasingly interested in 3D modelling for virtual crime scene reconstruction, enabling offline analysis without the cost and contamination risk of on-site investigation. Past work has demonstrated spatial relationships through static modelling but validating the sequence of events in dynamic scenarios is crucial for solving a case. Yet, animation tools are not well suited to crime scene reconstruction, and complex for non-experts in 3D modelling/animation. Through a co-design process with criminology experts, we designed "Criminator"-a methodological framework and XR tool that simplifies animation authoring. We evaluated this tool with participants trained in criminology (n=6) and untrained individuals (n=12). Both groups were able to successfully complete the character animation tasks and provided high usability ratings for observation tasks. Criminator has potential for hypothesis testing, demonstration, sense-making, and training. Challenges remain in how such a tool fits into the entire judicial process, with questions about including animations as evidence.