When we recently heard that CSI TV producer Anthony Zuiker would be keynoting the upcoming Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo, we wondered whether a crime scene investigation virtual world could be in the works! Turns out a rather intriguing crossover between the show and Second Life is planned -- but there's actually a real-life CSI tool that's about to go virtual.

The Western Mail is reporting that software developers at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, are at work on a virtual world aimed to allow juries to visit crime scenes. Academics believe that letting jurors stroll through the blueprint (still not built as of yet) might help them gauge the "real-life impact" of a crime scene. Jurors could "see" the victim and their position relative to the perpetrator or murder weapon.

Peter Farr, of the Judicial Communications Office which represents judges, told the Western Mail:

“The courts are using increasing amounts of new technology, such as hi-tech evidence from video links with witnesses and CCTV footage,” he said.

“This is the first I’ve heard of this software and if it were to be used in courts in future, it would need to be with the agreement of the Crown Prosecution Service and others, as well as judges.”

[via icWales]