Proposal

Narrative

The School of Criminology & Criminal Justice (SCCJ) is seeking funds to purchase a Virtual Crime Lab from Mosaic Learning to use in our Crime Analysis course (CJE 4663) and in our Criminal Justice Virtual Crime Camp for high school students. This proposal is part of our strategic plan to develop a Criminal Justice Virtual Technology & Cyber-Justice Initiative where we expand our use of technology inside the classroom and in our faculty and student research. The Virtual Reality Crime Scene Lab by Mosaic Learning provides users with a virtual interactive experience that serves to supplement learning in the classroom and/or training in the field. This specific program consists of a user being called to a crime scene in a studio apartment home where someone has been found deceased in one way or another. The purpose of the program is to gain points by collecting all relevant forensic evidence/material and leaving behind anything that is not related (points are deducted for collecting irrelevant evidence/material). The SCCJ could use this virtual crime scene lab during recruiting events, to enhance learning in specific courses, and/or to create a brand-new auxiliary program to bring in additional revenue for the School (i.e. Criminal Justice Virtual Crime Camp). We would also be able to use this tool during community engagement events to engage community members about criminal justice. We enroll 59 students each time CJE 4663 (Crime Analysis) is offered F2F and 69 students when offered online. We estimate 25-35 students enrolling in the Virtual Crime Camp to start.

Facilities

No facilities updates required.

Hardware Requirements

The virtual crime scene package comes with 2 VR headsets. These are not priced separately and do not need to be purchased separately.

Software Requirements

Mosaic Learning is a software development company and they specialize in eLearning, Learning Management Systems, and in particular VR and AR (https://www.mosaiclearning.com/our-solutions/e-learning/). We would contract with them to develop the crime scene and particular elements. Mosaic Learning provides the platform that manages the VR software. There is a development process that involves SCCJ faculty and Mosaic developers. The cost is $40,000, and includes the development and on-site training for faculty. We have divided up this cost over two fiscal years given development and training prior to implementation. The cost would include one to two VR headsets and the option to have control options remotely from each user’s keyboard. The SCCJ leadership team has had several phone calls with Mosaic Developers in the spring and summer of 2020 to discuss the elements and requirements for the virtual crime scene. These are one-time costs.

Personnel Costs

N/A

Other Costs

Representative from Mosaic Learning (based in Maryland) would travel to FAU to train SCCJ faculty member (2-3 faculty) and set up the virtual crime lab. This cost is included in the package.

Timeline

The development of the software would occur over an 8-month time period with the training to follow. It could be incorporated into our class (Crime Analysis CJE 4663) and offered in spring or summer 2022. We have split the costs across two fiscal years to account for development, training, and implementation.

Sustainability

Part of our strategic plan around the Criminal Justice Virtual Technology & Cyber-Justice Initiative involves creating a Virtual Crime Camp, which would be a revenue sharing auxiliary program that would complement our in-person Criminal Justice Summer Camp for high school students. (Students could do both, attend the F2F Summer Camp and enroll in the Virtual Camp at a different time.) The revenue generated would be able to support enhancements/expansion of the Virtual Crime Lab and additional training if needed. We could also develop this as an intercession course. Given the resource sharing model the Provost’s Office has outlined, this would generate revenue to sustain and enhance the software.

Resource Matching

N/A.

Implementing Organization

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in conjunction with the College of Social Work will implement the project.