360-degree cameras and virtual reality applications at crime scenes

Since its invention, the camera has undergone numerous evolutions and technological adaptations, becoming an indispensable part of forensic science. The ease of preserving images captured by digital cameras, which encapsulate a specific moment in time, has made it an irreplaceable tool, significantly contributing to the resolution of many cases. The type of camera used during crime scene documentation plays a crucial role in determining the quality of evidence. While standard photography captures a two-dimensional image of a specific object or location, it fails to adequately represent all the details of a three-dimensional scene. It is impossible for an expert at a crime scene to achieve temporal consistency among images that each reflect a different time frame. This issue leaves the temporal reality of the crime scene images up to the expert's discretion, complicating the accurate interpretation of evidence. This thesis examines how 360-degree cameras and virtual reality technologies can support traditional imaging methods through two crime scene scenarios set in both open and enclosed spaces. In collaboration with the Adana Provincial Police Department's Crime Scene Investigation Branch, a comparative study was conducted using standard photography, 360-degree photography, and 360-degree video recording methods. During the routine procedures within scenarios equipped with real evidence, various imaging techniques were applied by the researcher. Our thesis demonstrates how 360-degree imaging and virtual reality technologies can help overcome the limitations of traditional imaging methods. It also evaluates these technologies' advantages and disadvantages in the context of crime scenes, as well as their potential applications in forensic science, considering the perspectives of victims, witnesses, and suspects. However, the job of the crime scene team is not to interpret the crime scene but to deliver the evidence proving the truth as it is to the relevant authorities. In images captured in 360 degrees, ultra-wide-angle lenses are used, allowing these cameras to record the space and time as they are. Moreover, detecting manipulation and tampering in images captured in 360 degrees is often possible even with the naked eye. In this thesis, it is believed that issues arising from crime scene imaging can be addressed using 360-degree cameras and virtual reality goggles. This study is not an alternative to the currently applied crime scene imaging techniques but a supportive application that enhances the reliability of images.