Online Crime Scenes Change the Face of Forensic Training in Australia Through Extended Reality (XR) Technology

Australia-February 2-3, 2026:  The state of forensic science education in Australia is going through a major change, where the Extended Reality (XR) technology is becoming a hot commodity as a means of crime scene investigation (CSI) education. Colleges and forensics professors are increasingly resorting to virtual crime scenes that are immersive in the hope that they are better able to teach students and practitioners in the field about the intricacies of real-world investigations.

First in this line of development is Murdoch University, which has incorporated XR-based learning in its forensic science courses. With the assistance of a partnership with a speciality technology firm, Forensic XR, students can now experience the interior of a really realistic, digitally recreated crime scene with the help of virtual reality headsets. Such settings are simulated to imitate real investigative situations, whereby the trainees are able to practice in recognising, recording, and storing evidence in a simulated yet realistic environment.

The virtual crime scenes can consist of finer details of bloodstain patterns, weapon placement, trace evidence, and hazards of the environment. Students will have to make such decisions as in a real scene, they have to decide what to photograph, what to take, and how not to contaminate it. Teachers are able to track performance and can replay actions and evaluate the accuracy of decision-making, which can be hard to do when delivering instructions in a normal classroom environment.

Repeatability is one of the greatest benefits identified by forensic educators. Virtual scenes, in contrast to real ones, which are hard to find, expensive and difficult to recreate, can be utilised over and over again without loss of integrity. This will enable the students to learn through errors, repeat situations, develop confidence and by the time they get into a real investigation. The technology also eliminates safety risks and logistical limitations of the live mock scenes.

The company creating the simulations is called Forensic XR, and its environment modelling is based on the real-life situations of police and forensic teams during investigations. Universities and training institutions are already using their platforms to simulate everything, including indoor homicide scenes or outdoor recovery sites, to overcome the gap between theory and practice. Observers indicate that the use of XR is indicative of a wider pattern globally towards the use of technology-enhanced forensic training. With more and more sophisticated crime scenes and stricter forensic standards, immersive learning tools are a means to enhance the accuracy of the procedure and the ability to handle evidence.

Although XR was not designed to serve as a complete replacement for real-world training, Australian forensic educators see it as an important addition to it, as it guarantees that future investigators are better equipped, more confident and scientifically rigorous. The increasing trend of virtual crime scenes is ushering in a new era in the field of forensic science education, with technology taking a main role in the training of investigators of tomorrow.