“Digital twinning” in Dubai Police contributes to uncovering the mystery of 85 incidents

The Dubai Police General Command has strengthened its investigative capabilities through “digital twinning” to reconstruct crime scenes, which is an advanced innovation based on simulating the crime scene digitally using virtual reality technologies and 3D models, allowing the events to be re-enacted with high accuracy and the examination of evidence faster and more reliably.

The “digital twin” contributed to uncovering the mystery of approximately 85 incidents, including a “hit-and-run” case that was reported as a suicide case for one of the delivery drivers, and it turned out to be a hit-and-run crime. In another incident, the system contributed to providing scientific explanations for the collapse of a vehicle parking basement.

The system works to create a comprehensive analytical link between the physical traces, with the possibility of virtual return to the crime scene at any time, and inspect the evidence digitally, which supports data-based decision-making, and enhances the quality and credibility of forensic evidence and its judicial acceptance through interactive, auditable models.

Acting Director of the General Department of Forensic Evidence and Criminology, Brigadier General Rashid Ahmed Lootah, confirmed that Dubai Police pays great attention to developing the criminal and security work system, and enhancing it with the latest digital technologies and smart systems that contribute to raising the efficiency of investigations and accelerating reaching the truth with precision and professionalism. He added, “The security future is based on innovation and employing advanced technology to support criminal justice, and from this standpoint we were keen to adopt (digital twinning) as part of the comprehensive digital transformation system, in a way that enhances the reliability of Evidence, and improves the quality of technical and scientific work, in addition to investing in building national cadres and empowering them scientifically and cognitively with the latest global tools and technologies, in a way that supports the strategic directions of Dubai Police in strengthening the safe city.”

The head of the Forensic Engineering Department in the Specialized Forensic Evidence Department, expert Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Engineer Muhammad Ali Al-Qasim, said that the digital twin system has brought about a fundamental shift in the method of analyzing crime scenes, by reconstructing them digitally with high scientific accuracy, and linking the evidence within an integrated model that allows for re-examination and verification at any stage of the investigation, without the need to return to the actual crime scene.

He stressed that 3D digital models contributed to reducing the margin of error, accelerating forensic analysis, and accurately tracking the sequence of events, in addition to supporting proactive prevention and enhancing community confidence in the justice system, noting that the system constitutes a qualitative leap in the future of smart criminal investigations.

For her part, the director of the “Digital Twin” project, expert engineer Amna Al-Mazmi, explained that the system contributed to uncovering the mystery of approximately 85 accidents, including a “hit-and-run” case that was reported as a suicide case for a delivery driver after he fell from the top of a bridge, following the testimony of an “eyewitness.” After applying the digital twin, reconstructing the crime scene, and analyzing the facts, it turned out that the bike was hit by a vehicle from behind, and its driver fled. The location, which led to the driver falling from the bridge while the bike remained on top of him, turning the case from a suicide into a hit-and-run crime.

She continued that the “digital twin” system contributed, in another incident, to providing clear scientific explanations, where a vehicle parking basement was subjected to a partial collapse. Using the system, it was found that the reinforced concrete elements had been exposed to repeated water leaks over an unspecified period of time, which led to their mechanical and physical properties being affected. Subsequent engineering analyzes based on the “digital twin,” restoring structural hypotheses and simulating load scenarios, showed that the change in the expansion coefficient Thermal shrinkage of water-saturated concrete led to an unbalanced redistribution of stresses within the columns, which accelerated the process of structural deterioration leading to collapse.

• “Digital twinning” depends on simulating the crime scene, using virtual reality technologies and 3D models.