Here is an interesting new article by the Swiss Institute of Forensic Medicine proposing using VR to help settle Court Room decisions. They are looking into using VR to re-create crime scenes or scenes under legal scrutiny.
While this direction is hardly surprising, it is not a very new concept either. Legal teams have been utilizing computer graphics as a visualization tool since the early 90’s. In fact some of my first jobs revolved around creating accident reconstruction for consulting firms. I believe this approach is effective. However, as with all media, VR needs to be authored and is subject to biased interpretation.
I thoroughly believe that VR can make an excellent legal tool. The cost may make it prohibitive. Instead of authoring just one perspective, a full 360 degree perspective must be maintained. To complement the visual presentational elements I believe further advancements in procedural storytelling must be made. More specifically, the development of a storytelling language needs to be developed. The language provides a neutral format to which any situation may be described without biased interpretation. From that language the situation may be re-created to any media format; Video, VR, Comic Strip, Novelization, … . The interpretation to media will provide the biased interpretation. However, the language itself should be as neutral as possible.
