Multimedia to help jurors

New technology in the form of £20,000 worth of multimedia equipment has been bought by West Mercia to enable jurors to visit a crime scene without leaving their court room. The video screens can display 3D images, maps as well as video of a crime scene.

Using this technology, it has been estimated. saved three weeks during the trial of the killer of Shropshire peace campaigner Hilda Murrell when the case came to court last year. Labourer Andrew George from Harlescott, Shrewsbury, was convicted of murder and jailed for life.

West Mercia Police`s Multimedia Design department is producing work for other forces including West Midlands, the Met and the Home Office.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Albutt, head of West Mercia CID, said: “This technology takes jurors to the scene of a crime so they get a real feel for the location. It is also better for a jury to be talked through what is happening on screen than to try to keep up by looking through a series of photographs. I believe the use of this technology will become increasingly common in major trials over the next few years, helping us to secure more convictions and ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve.”